Alonna Berry
Alonna Berry | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| Assuming office 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Stell Parker Selby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1989 or 1990 (age 34–35) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Benjamin Spears |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Bryan Stevenson (cousin) |
| Residence | Milton, Delaware |
| Education | Syracuse University (BA) Wilmington University |
Alonna Berry (born 1989) is an American educator and politician who is a member-elect of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 20th district after winning an August 2025 special election to succeed Stell Parker Selby, who resigned due to health issues.
Early life and education
[edit]Berry grew up in Kent County and Milton. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in writing and rhetoric and was elected to the alumni association's board of trustees in 2025. She holds a postgraduate certificate in virtual online teaching and learning from the University of Pennsylvania, a graduate degree in management and organizational leadership from Wilmington University, where she is a doctoral candidate.[1]
Career
[edit]Berry began her career as an educator with Teach for America and was a 40 under 40 honoree of the Delaware Business Times in 2020.[2]
Berry served as a leader of the Family Services Cabinet Council and as Delaware’s first Statewide Trauma-Informed Care Coordinator within governor John Carney's cabinet.[3] In November 2024, Carney appointed her to a six-year term to the Delaware Community Foundation's board of directors.
Berry founded the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence (BASSE) in 2024, a free public charter school in Georgetown, Delaware, named after Bryan Stevenson.[4] Berry is a cousin of Stevenson, who worked with her to found the school.[5] She currently serves as executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice, a nonprofit providing legal assistance.[6]
Delaware House of Representatives
[edit]Following incumbent Democrat Stell Parker Selby's resignation from the Delaware House of Representatives due to health issues, Berry announced she would seek the Democratic nomination for the ensuing special election. She was selected to be the Demoratic nominee on July 3, 2025, and faced Republican Nikki Miller.[6] In a competitive race, Berry defeated Miller by 121 votes.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Berry lives in Milton, Delaware, with her husband and two sons.[1]
Electoral history
[edit]2025
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Alonna Berry | 4,653 | 50.61% | |
| Republican | Nikki Miller | 4,532 | 49.30% | |
| Write-in | 8 | 0.09% | ||
| Total votes | 9,193 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b Korey, Eileen (May 12, 2025). "3 New Members Elected to University's Board of Trustees". Syracuse University. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Editorial Board (October 14, 2020). "DBT40 Honoree: Alonna Berry". Delaware Business Times. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Petrowich, Sarah (October 19, 2023). "First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney hosts 5th Trauma Informed Care Report roundtable". Delaware Public Media. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ^ MacArthur, Ron (August 29, 2024). "Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence: Dream finally comes true". Cape Gazette. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ^ "Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence receives $100K award from namesake". Cape Gazette. June 5, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ^ a b Aken, Emma (July 3, 2025). "Alonna Berry named District 20 Democratic candidate to run against Republican Nikki Miller in special election". WRDE-LD. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Montes, Olivia (August 5, 2025). "Delaware House race for Milton and Lewes area district decided by 121 votes". The News Journal. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "August 5, 2025 2025 Special Election – House District 20 Unofficial Results" (PDF). State of Delaware Department of Elections. August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the Delaware House of Representatives
- 21st-century African-American women
- 21st-century members of the Delaware General Assembly
- People from Milton, Delaware
- Syracuse University alumni
- Wilmington University alumni
- Women state legislators in Delaware
- African-American state legislators in Delaware
- 21st-century American women politicians
- African-American women in politics