House Republicans, Democrats Select New Leadership for the 154th General Assembly

November 6, 2026

State of Delaware, House Republican Caucus

The eleven members of the Delaware House of Representatives Republican Caucus met earlier today (11/6) at Legislative Hall to select their leaders for the 154th General Assembly.

State Rep. Danny Short (R-Seaford), in photo, was chosen as House Minority Leader. First elected in 2006, Rep. Short is the most tenured member of the House of Representatives. He previously served as House Minority Leader from 2013 to 2023. Rep. Short owns Short Insurance Associates and is a former chief of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.

State Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner (R-Georgetown), in photo, was selected as the new House Minority Whip. This marks her first leadership position within the caucus. Jones Giltner began her tenure in the House of Representatives less than three years ago after winning a special election on December 21, 2023, to fill the 37th District seat vacated by former State Representative Ruth Briggs King, who was required to resign after moving outside the district. Rep. Jones Giltner is a retired nurse with extensive executive experience in the healthcare industry.

The House Democratic Caucus met Wednesday evening to select its leadership, choosing State Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris as House Majority Leader and State Rep. Cyndie Romer as House Majority Whip.

Although the Speaker of the House must be elected by the full chamber, House Democrats used their 30-member supermajority to select State Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown to continue in that position. The full House will formally vote on the selection during the first day of the 2027 legislative session.

The 154th General Assembly will convene for the first time on Tuesday, January 12.