Delaware
Former Delaware House Rep. John Viola, who served Newark, Bear, dies
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Former House Rep. John Viola passed away, according to a social media post from his daughter and a statement from Delaware House Democrats.
Viola represented parts of Newark and Bear from 1998 until the time he left office in 2020. He was 75 years old.
His daughter Andria Bennett, who is also a former state representative, posted about Viola’s death on Facebook on Feb. 15, saying, “my best friends, my favorite person, my safe place, my ride or die, MY JV left us and my heath is absolutely shattered.”
House Democratic leadership released a statement on Sunday afternoon remembering Viola as a “dedicated public servant in every sense of the word.” The statement referenced his time in Dover, in the Air Force and as a volunteer firefighter.
“Whether in Legislative Hall or in everyday life, John showed up every day with the same purpose: to help people and make life a little better for others,” the statement by Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, and Majority Whip Ed Osienski said.
Viola himself served as House Majority Whip from 2013 to 2017. He lost a primary election in 2020 to current Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton by 43 votes.
He and his daughter, Bennett, were the first father and daughter to serve in the state House of Representatives at the same time.