DE Senate President Pro Tempore Announces Retirement

January 16, 2026/Mari Lou

Image courtesy Delaware.gov

As the General Assembly session got underway last week, Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola announced that he would not be seeking re-election when his term ends. Sokola addressed Senate colleagues Thursday afternoon to tell them that he will retire at the end of his 36th legislative session.

Sokola was first elected in 1990 during the Castle Administration – and has served under 8 different governors, six different US presidents and is currently the longest-serving member of the Delaware General Assembly.

Sokola represents the 8th Senate District in Newark.  

Additional information from the Senate Majority Caucus: 
A graduate of the University of Delaware, Sokola represents the 8th Senate District in Newark. He was selected by his peers to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore in 2020.

Among his accolades, Sokola is widely considered one of Delaware’s most effective education reformers. In 1995, he was one of the leading architects for legislation that created a framework for charter schools (Senate Bill 200) as well as the establishment of the School District Enrollment Choice Program (House Bill 144). The senator has held leadership positions with the Southern Regional Education Board, the Council on State Governments, and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. 
 
Other notable legislative accomplishments include the passage of Delaware’s Graduated License Law, the 2010 inclusion of sexual orientation in the State’s nondiscrimination laws, and the 2011 recognition of civil unions. 
 
His tenure as President Pro Tempore has been defined by several bold legislative victories, including the 2021 passage of a $15 minimum wage, the creation of Delaware’s 12-week paid family and medical leave program, and a package of bills that protect and expand abortion access to patients seeking care. Because of his advocacy and leadership efforts, the Senate has passed a sweeping slate of gun safety laws including a prohibition on assault weapons and high capacity magazines and a permit to purchase law. And this year, Sokola plans to move legislation that would require firearm dealers across Delaware to be licensed.
 
During his remarks to his colleagues, Sokola continued: “Now more than ever, the people we represent need us. So while it may be my last session, it’s shaping up to be my busiest. Between now and June 30, I’m leaving it all on the field. And as the leader of this body, it is my hope — and frankly my expectation — that you all will join me. Let’s make the most of this session. Let’s work together and find ways to think outside the box. Let’s set aside our fear about making hard choices and recommit ourselves to doing the right thing — even when it isn’t easy.”
 
The senator went on to outline his hopes for the remainder of the legislative session, naming a few key priorities he plans to accomplish before leaving office. 
 
One of those priorities is taking up the work of the Public Education Funding Commission, a body led by Sen. Laura Sturgeon that is charged with reviewing Delaware’s school funding formula. Sokola says that the current funding formula is outdated, and that the legislature is compelled to pass a more equitable system that directs resources into the classrooms that need them most. 
 
The senator also cited lowering health care costs and energy bills as top priorities to tackle by June 30. 
 
A full biography for Sen. Sokola can be found here. His term will end at 11:59 p.m. on November 3, 2026.
Posted in , , , ,