Governor Meyer Signs Legislation Naming Millsboro Bypass In Honor Of Senator Richard S. Cordrey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Media Contact:
Jonah Anderson
jonah.anderson@delaware.gov

MILLSBORO, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer today signed Senate Bill 349, officially naming the Millsboro Bypass the Senator Richard S. Cordrey Bypass in honor of the Millsboro native whose decades of public service helped shape Delaware’s fiscal and economic future.

Joined by Senator Brian Pettyjohn, Representative Valerie Jones Giltner, Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings and members of the Cordrey family, Governor Meyer signed the legislation near the bypass before helping unveil a new sign bearing Senator Cordrey’s name.

“Richard Cordrey never forgot where he came from or who he served,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “He brought the values he learned here in Millsboro, hard work, fiscal responsibility, and a willingness to work with anyone to get things done, to more than three decades of public service. Naming this bypass for Senator Cordrey is a fitting tribute to a leader whose impact can still be felt across Delaware and in the community he called home.”

“Senator Richard Cordrey dedicated more than three decades of his life to serving Delaware, and his impact on our state can still be seen today,” said Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn of Georgetown. “Renaming the Millsboro Bypass in his honor is especially fitting because improving U.S. 113 was one of the reasons Senator Cordrey first sought public office. This roadway is now part of the community he called home, and its name will serve as a lasting reminder of his service to Millsboro, Sussex County and the entire state of Delaware.”

“It was great to be part of today’s celebration in renaming the bypass in honor of the late Senator Cordrey,” said Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, a sponsor of SB 349. “Among Senator Cordrey’s greatest achievements was his successful sponsorship of two constitutional amendments more than four decades ago that helped to steer Delaware towards sound financial governance. As part of the state government’s financial management reforms driven by then-Governor Pete du Pont, the first constitutional amendment established a spending cap of 98% of anticipated General Fund revenues, with the second creating a budget reserve account, the ‘Rainy Day Fund,’ to be used for unexpected emergencies. Additionally, Senator Cordrey worked with former U.S. Senator John J. Williams in establishing Delaware as a national banking center.”

Senator Richard S. Cordrey served in the Delaware General Assembly for 26 years, beginning with his election to the House of Representatives in 1970 before moving to the Senate in 1972. He served as Senate majority leader and later spent 20 years as president pro tempore, making him the longest-serving president pro tempore in Delaware history and one of the longest-serving in the nation.
During his legislative career, Cordrey worked across party lines on some of the most consequential fiscal and economic policies in Delaware’s history. His work included helping establish the state’s constitutional spending limit and Budget Reserve Account, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund, as part of fiscal reforms enacted during the administration of Governor Pierre S. du Pont IV.

After retiring from the General Assembly in 1996, Cordrey later returned to state government when Governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed him secretary of finance in 2005. He served in that role through 2009.

Despite his decades in state government, Cordrey remained deeply connected to Millsboro and Delaware agriculture. Born and raised in Millsboro, he worked in his family’s feed business and spent more than 50 years owning and operating R.S.C. Farms. In 2012, Delaware also named the Department of Agriculture’s main administration building in his honor.

Senate Bill 349, sponsored by Senator Pettyjohn, passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously. The legislation recognizes Cordrey’s decades of public service and lasting contributions to Delaware’s fiscal and economic stability.

The Millsboro Bypass opened to traffic in September 2025, providing an alternate route around downtown Millsboro. The roadway will now permanently carry the name of one of the community’s longest-serving public officials.

Governor Meyer, Senator Pettyjohn and members of the Cordrey family concluded the ceremony by unveiling the new Senator Richard S. Cordrey Bypass sign.

Photos from the signing can be found here.

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