Wilmington City Council appeals Spadola party switch to Delaware Supreme Court

The Wilmington City Council has appealed a Chancery Court ruling to the Delaware Supreme Court in an ongoing dispute with Councilman James Spadola. The conflict arose after Spadola switched his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat, a move that resulted in all 13 City Council seats being held by Democrats.

Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo and the council argue that the city charter prohibits a minority-party member from switching to the majority party, claiming the move disenfranchises approximately 15% of the city's non-majority voters. Spadola previously won a legal battle to block a council resolution intended to declare his seat vacant.

As of October 23, the legal battle has cost the city more than $207,000. Of this amount, approximately $130,000 was paid to Spadola’s attorneys and $75,000 to the council’s legal counsel. The council's attorney, Jane Brady, has until November 30 to file an opening brief with the state's highest court.