The New DE House Minority Leader Is Ramone

Mike Ramone selected last night to lead the super-minority amid significant drama.  Lyndon Yearick is the new whip.  The pair beat out Danny Short and Timothy Dukes who apparently spent all of their energy fighting off Ruth Briggs King.

Rumor is Ramone pledged to fight like a Republican (?) and thereby signaled that he is not interested in running in his D majority district in two years.

Here is the super-minority caucus press release:

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 — The 15 members of the House Republican Caucus met earlier today, selecting new leadership for the 152nd General Assembly that officially began following the general elections held earlier this month.

State Rep. Mike Ramone (R-Pike Creek South) was chosen as the new House Minority Leader. He replaces State Rep. Danny Short (R-Seaford) who remains the most tenured caucus member. Rep. Short had served as the Minority Leader since 2012.

State Rep. Lyndon Yearick (R-Camden-Wyoming) will serve as the new House Minority Whip. He succeeds State Rep. Tim Dukes (R-Laurel) who had served in the role during the previous two General Assemblies.

This is the first time Rep. Ramone or Rep. Yearick has been in caucus leadership, although both have previously served in influential positions. Rep. Ramone has experience on the Joint Finance Committee and Bond Bill Committee, while Rep. Yearick has been a member of the Policy Analysis & Government Accountability Committee (Sunset Committee).

“I want to thank Danny and Tim for their service and guidance,” said House Minority Leader Ramone. “Their professionalism and dedication will make this transition smooth and seamless. I think our caucus comes out of this process united and reinvigorated. Our members have a lot to offer to the citizens of this state. We plan to be agents of positive change, offering new perspectives to the challenges facing our state.”

Rep. Yearick said the time was right for a change. “I’m eager for the upcoming session,” he said. “Our caucus members have a history of reaching out to constituents and crafting innovative ideas to address their concerns. We plan to not only continue those efforts but to be more assertive in seeking collaboration and promoting solutions. We will be about ideas, not ideology.”

All 41 state representatives – technically state representatives-elect – began their new terms of office on Election Day. They will be officially sworn-in on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, when the 152nd General Assembly meets for the first time.

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