Chukwuocha resigns to assume seat in Delaware House, Council search for successor begins
WILMINGTON– Nnamdi Chukwuocha today resigned his post as Councilman of Wilmington’s 1stDistrict and will assume the House District 1 seat he won in the Democratic primary election in September.
“I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve the City of Wilmington as an elected official,” wrote Chukwuocha in his resignation letter addressed to Council President Hanifa Shabazz, today. “I am also humbled by the support my district civic associations, Neighborhood Planning Council and individual residents have given to me as their council representative. It has been an extreme pleasure to serve such a wonderful, caring and active community.”
Chukwuocha, who won the Sept. 6 Democratic contest for the seat had no challenger in the today’s General Election and will automatically be declared the winner.
“Councilman Chukwuocha is leaving behind some very big shoes to fill as he was an exemplary public servant, passionate about the residents of Wilmington’s 1stDistrict,” said President Shabazz. “Now, he gets to do the same thing in the General Assembly and we wish him the best.”
The Wilmington City Council is now soliciting letters of interest from residents of the city’s 1st District to consider filling the seat to be vacated by Chukwuocha.
Pursuant to the City Charter, to qualify to fill the vacancy, an applicant must be twenty-five (25) years of age or older, affiliated with the same political party as the outgoing councilmember – in this case a Democrat – and reside in the 1st District.
Those residents interested in filling the vacancy have until Nov. 21 to submit a letter of interest that includes their vision for the 1st District and the City of Wilmington as well as a copy of their resume to the following email address:
CouncilVacancy@wilmingtonde.gov
Letters of interest can also be submitted by mail to:
Wilmington City Council
Louis L. Redding City/County Building
800 N. French Street, 9th Floor
Letters sent via mail must be postmarked by Nov. 21, 2018.
A special committee has been convened to review letters of interest from qualified residents seeking to fill the seat and will make a recommendation to the full City Council on an appointment to the post.
According to the Wilmington City Charter, the President of Wilmington City Council shall appoint the members of a special committee consisting of five members of city council; one member shall be the president who serves as its chair.
The special committee shall be charged with recommending a candidate to fill the council vacancy in accordance with the requirements outlined in the City Charter section 2-101.
For more information on the selection process and to submitting a letter of interest, click here or visit https://www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/city-council/council-vacancy/
MEDIA CONTACT
Marchelle Basnight
Council Chief of Staff
302.576.2140
mbasnigh@wilmingtonde.gov