Senate Executive Committee hears four Justice of the Peace nominees; no confirmations recorded

The Senate Executive Committee held a confirmation hearing on gubernatorial nominees for one Justice of the Peace vacancy in Newcastle County and three in Sussex County, hearing opening statements and questions but recording no formal confirmations during the session.

The nominations drew bipartisan praise and focused on nominees’ courtroom experience and community backgrounds. Senators emphasized the early role of Justice of the Peace courts in people’s first contact with the justice system and pressed nominees on impartiality, bias awareness and practical courtroom management.

Dr. Deborah Mason, nominated for Newcastle County, said she has spent more than a decade in Delaware’s criminal justice system as a probation officer, trainer and administrator and cited doctoral research on trauma, recidivism and evidence‑based decision‑making. “I bring to the court sound judgment, procedural discipline, and an understanding of how judicial decisions impact both individuals and public safety,” Dr. Mason said, adding she would seek to apply fairness at the earliest points of contact to reduce recidivism and connect people with resources.

Several senators voiced support for Mason during questioning. Senator Laughlin asked Mason to expand on what it means to be an arbiter of fairness in Justice of the Peace courts; Mason said her probation experience taught her to focus on interventions that keep people out of the deeper court system.

Rodney Bambi, nominated for Sussex County, described a 38‑year career in law enforcement and first response in New York and Delaware and framed his nomination as a continuation of public service rooted in his family’s immigration story. He pledged to serve “with professionalism, courtesy, fairness, and compassion” if confirmed. Senators noted the value of a candidate with direct court operations experience and expressed support.

The committee also considered a nominee introduced in the agenda as Don Hopkins and addressed in remarks by senators as Dawn Hopkins. The nominee described nearly three decades in state government—including work as a Medicaid social worker, community relations at DelDOT and service as a legislative assistant—and emphasized skills in conflict resolution, active listening and fact‑based decision‑making. Senators praised the nominee’s institutional knowledge and readiness to learn the magistrate role.

Dr. Carmel Mumford (who introduced herself as such) described 14 years at the Office of Defense Services and said that experience prepared her to recognize mental‑health, substance‑use and social factors that affect people who appear in court. “I work with individuals and families of all walks of life and across a wide range of circumstances,” she said, adding she would check personal biases and seek guidance where needed.

Senator Marie Pinkney noted that both Dr. Mason and Dr. Mumford included their doctoral dissertations in the nomination packets; she said both dissertations address adverse childhood experiences and recidivism and praised the perspective that research brings to the bench.

The committee recessed briefly so several members could cast a Legislative Council vote in the House Chamber and later resumed. After concluding the nominees’ presentations the chair asked members to review and sign nomination backers. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and adopted without objection; no roll‑call confirmation votes were recorded during the session.

The committee’s next procedural steps were not set in the hearing record. Senators referenced forthcoming confirmation votes to be taken in the coming days.