Citizens for Pro-Business Delaware Calls on Governor Carney to Emulate President Biden’s Commitment to Appointing Black Justice to Supreme Court Following Justice Stephen Breyer’s Retirement

Pressure Mounts for Gov. Carney to follow President Biden’s lead and commit to appointing Black justice to replace retiring Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Joseph Slights

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, after Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement and President Biden’s commitment to nominate the first female Black justice to the Supreme Court, Citizens for Pro-Business Delaware (CPBD) is calling on Governor Carney to follow Biden’s leadership and commit to doing the same with the current Chancery Court vacancy. Like Carney, President Biden campaigned on the need for more diverse representation in his cabinet, in government leadership positions and in the court system. President Biden has followed through on his campaign promise and CPBD, national and local civil rights leaders, and Delaware residents are calling on Gov. Carney to do the same.

The Chancery Court does not have a single chancellor of color. In 230 years of existence, the Chancery Court has only ever had a single Black justice, Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, for a total of five years. Governor John Carney had the opportunity to replace Montgomery-Reeves with another Black justice in 2020, but once again appointed a white man. Carney had another opportunity to diversify the Chancery Court in 2021 but again chose to dismiss the calls of local and national civil rights advocates and appoint a white judge.

Said Citizens for a Pro-Business Campaign Manager Chris Coffey, “President Biden has rightly promised to appoint the first female Black justice to the Supreme Court to fill open seat left by the Honorable Stephen Breyer’s retirement; Governor Carney must do the same. With Vice Chancellor Slights’ retirement, Carney has his third opportunity to validate his professed commitment to diversity and take a step towards equitable representation in Delaware’s courts. We call on Governor Carney to do what’s right, do what’s just, and appoint a Black justice to the all-white Chancery.”

CPBD has pledged to spend $500,000 on paid media in a campaign urging Governor Carney to replace retiring Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Joseph Slights with a Black judge. The campaign, consisting of TV, print, and digital advertisements, as well as direct mail and canvassing efforts, will highlight Reverend Al Sharpton along with additional major figures in the US civil rights movement who will stand united in their commitment to diversifying Delaware’s judiciary.

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware is a group made up of more than 5,000 members including employees of the global translation services company TransPerfect, as well as concerned Delaware residents, business executives and others. They formed in April of 2016 to focus on raising awareness with Delaware residents, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the unprecedented, forced sale of TransPerfect. While their primary goal of saving the company has been accomplished, they continue their efforts to fight for more transparency in the Delaware Chancery Court. For more information on Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware or to join the cause, visit DelawareForBusiness.org.