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Tag: Governor john Carney

  • Governor announces staffing changes, communications director leaving

    Governor announces staffing changes, communications director leaving

    Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced that Jonathan Starkey, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, will leave the Office of the Governor early next month to join Newark-based private student lender Sallie Mae as Director of Corporate Communications.

    “Jon has been a core member of our team since Day 1,” said Governor Carney. “His experience and strategic advice were critical in helping us navigate through a long list of challenges over the past 5 and a half years, and I’m especially grateful for his leadership in driving our communication efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jon’s discipline and focus around defining and implementing our Administration’s priorities have helped us follow through on our commitments to the people we represent. Most important of all, Jon has served as a sounding board and advisor on the many difficult decisions we’ve had to make during my time in office. Jon’s willingness and ability to deliver honest feedback and straightforward advice, always with a sense of humor, will be missed.”

    Emily David Hershman, currently the Director of Engagement & Special Projects, will take on the role of Director of Communications and serve as the Office of the Governor’s main point of contact for the media.

    Jessica Borcky Weinberg, currently the Deputy Communications Director/Digital Director, will take on the new role of Director of Digital Government & Senior Advisor to the Governor, responsible for coordinating digital government activities across cabinet agencies, and creating content to communicate Governor Carney’s priorities to the public.

    “Jess and Emily have been critical members of our team for years as we’ve navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and engaged with Delawareans on any number of issues from education to the economy and public health,” said Governor Carney. “They share an incredible work ethic and a dedication to public service. I’m confident that Jess and Emily are the right people for the job. And I know they’ll step up in their new roles and continue to serve our state well.”

  • Governor Carney faces lawsuit over emergency order that closed churches

    Governor Carney faces lawsuit over emergency order that closed churches

    Governor John Carney is being sued by two pastors who argue his COVID-19 emergency order from last year that closed churches violated Delaware’s constitution.

    The lawsuits seeks an injunction to prevent the Governor from ever again implementing such an order.

    The plaintiffs in the case have been identified as Rev. David Landow of Wilmington’s Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Pastor Alan Hines of Townsend’s Free Will Baptist Church.

    Tom Crumplar is one of several attorneys leading the lawsuit, specifically representing Landow. He says religious freedom is crystal clear in the Delaware constitution which the Governor’s order violated.

    “In the pandemic, the Governor made, unfortunately, religious rights were second class, and they are really supposed to be preeminent, there’s not supposed to be any power that the state has over religious institutions, non-whatsoever, and the Delaware constitution is very clear about that,” Crumplar said. “All that we’re really asking is that the courts speak with a loud voice that the Delaware constitution applies.”

    A similar lawsuit from November of last year that was brought at the federal level classified churches and houses of worship as essential for any future emergency order. That case was based on the U.S. constitution and was never able to secure a legal precedent.

    “We had a federal court case, which was really based more on the U.S. constitution, for immediate relief during the pandemic,” Crumplar concluded. “The Governor was a moving target. He kept changing the rules, so it kind of mooted that out and we were never able to get a clear precedent-setting rule and that’s what we’re trying to do now.”

    The Governor’s Office has refrained from commenting on the case, citing the fact that they cannot comment on pending litigation.