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Sussex County Stands Up: A Win for Local Control and the People of the 38th

Today, Sussex County Council took a decisive and commendable step to defend local authority, community voice, and the rule of law.


By voting to pursue litigation against the Delaware General Assembly over SB 159, the Council signaled that Sussex County will not quietly accept state overreach that nullifies local land-use decisions and disregards the will of its residents. The Council’s action seeks a judicial stay to prevent SB 159 from going into effect on January 31, buying critical time to preserve Sussex County’s lawful decision to block US Wind from bringing offshore transmission cables ashore.


This matters, and the timing could not be more consequential. US Wind faces a June 2026 federal deadline to demonstrate meaningful construction progress in order to retain federal permit approvals. If SB 159 is stayed and construction delayed, the project’s momentum is halted. This is, quite literally, a race against time, and today, Sussex County chose to stand with its citizens.


Leadership That Reflects the 38th

Special thanks are due to Council President Doug Hudson, who is elected primarily by the residents of the 38th District, for his leadership and courage on this issue. His vote, along with Steve McCarron and John Rieley, aligned squarely with what Sussex County residents have made clear time and again: that local communities should decide what happens on their coastlines, not state lawmakers overriding lawful county decisions.



Equally important, Sussex County is not standing alone. The City of Fenwick Island has also voted to file a similar lawsuit, reinforcing a unified message: coastal communities will defend their authority and their future.


Citizen Engagement Made the Difference

This moment did not happen in a vacuum. Members of the 38th District and Southern Delaware Republicans showed up, by calling, emailing, and speaking out, to urge County Council to act. Civic engagement works, and today’s vote is proof that elected officials do listen when citizens make their voices heard clearly and respectfully. Well done everyone!


A Clear Divide on Representation

There was one dissenting vote. Councilmember Jane Gruenebaum stated on WGMD on Tuesday that she believes County Council serves at the will of the State, and that the State knows best when it comes to energy policy. That view stands in sharp contrast to the foundational purpose of county government: to represent the people of the county, not to function as an enforcement arm of state or federal agendas.


Councilmember Matt Lloyd abstained from voting.


Reasonable people can disagree on energy policy. But Sussex County residents deserve representation that prioritizes local decision-making, local impact, and local accountability, especially when state action directly overrides a duly adopted County Council decision.


What Comes Next

The vote to pursue litigation is a critical first step, now the Council must follow through. Filing promptly and coordinating with the City of Fenwick Island and Mayor Natalie Magdeburger, will be essential to securing a stay and preventing SB 159 from taking effect.


Today, Sussex County stood up. Tomorrow, the work continues.


To Doug Hudson, Steve McCarron, and John Rieley: thank you for voting with your constituents and for defending Sussex County’s right to govern itself.


And to the citizens of the 38th and Southern Delaware: this is what engaged, principled civic action looks like. You are amazing!


Help Us Keep the Momentum Going

What happened today didn’t happen by accident. It happened because the Mighty 38th is organized, engaged, and willing to act. We mobilized our neighbors, amplified citizen voices, and made sure Sussex County Council knew exactly where the people of the 38th and Southern Delaware stand.


And we’re not done.


If you believe in local control, citizen-led government, and standing up when the state tries to impose decisions on our communities, we invite you to support the work of the Mighty 38th. Your donation helps us stay informed, stay organized, and stay ready to mobilize when it matters most.


We are the voice of the people of the 38th, and together, we are making that voice heard.


Please consider donating to the Mighty 38th today and help us Stand Up For What's Right! Donate here, thank you!


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If you like what we do and would like to help support our mission, please send us a donation. We thank you for choosing to keep the 38th District Republican Club a success and a beaming light of conservative values in Delaware!

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Do you want to get more involved locally? The 38th District includes Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millville, Selbyville and Frankford. YOU can make a difference! Email info@38thdrcp.com for more information. Also, sign up for the State GOP e-Newsletters here.


Listen to WGMD 92.7 and 98.5 for local news!

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Join the GOP:

Good Ordinary People who have common sense and will put an end to the nonsense!

Join the 38th District Republican Club and Subscribe to our e-Newsletter. If you like what we do and stand for, consider sending us your financial support.

To Donate Make check payable to:

38th DRCP

PO Box 184

Frankford, DE 19945


We meet the first Monday of the month, excluding holidays. For questions please


Upcoming Meetings

NO 38th Club Meeting in January 2026

38th Club Meeting, Monday, February 2, 6:30pm, South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach

Sussex GOP Region Meeting, January 12th, 6:30pm, Millsboro Fire Hall

IRSD Committee Meetings, Monday, January 12th, Millsboro Middle, 4pm-7pm

IRSD School Board Meetings, Monday, January 26th, 6:30pm, Millsboro Middle

38th Club Meeting, Monday, March 2, 6:30pm, South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach


We welcome your support as we support conservative values and responsible government.


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This newsletter is intended for informational purposes only. The content provided is for general information and entertainment purposes, and should not be construed as professional advice. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Club. Readers are encouraged to seek professional guidance or conduct their own research when making decisions based on the information provided in this newsletter. The Club does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented in this newsletter and will not be held liable for any errors or omissions. Website paid for by the 38th District Republican Club PAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.


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