Lewes is about to make history! Councilwoman Amy Marasco is set to become the city’s first female mayor, stepping into the role unopposed after Mayor Andrew Williams chose not to seek re-election.
A New Chapter for Lewes Leadership
Marasco, a full-time Lewes resident since 2021 and homeowner for over 20 years, celebrated her unopposed candidacy with a cherry-dipped cone from Dairy Queen.
Though the outcome still needs to be finalized through a few procedural steps, including a recommendation from the city manager and a review by the board of elections, her path to the mayor’s seat is clear.
Her public service record includes:
- Former vice mayor of a small town in Virginia, where she served seven terms on the Hillsboro Town Council and led award-winning infrastructure projects related to reducing traffic congestion concerns, cleaner drinking water, wastewater issues, and stormwater management
- Chair of the Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee, for which she was honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award by the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association in December of 2024
- Architect of key local ordinances
- Recent co-chair of the Financial Stewardship Subcommittee
- A devoted city council member since 2023
Beyond her city government roles, Marasco is a nationally recognized executive consultant and facilitator, coaching clients on effective and strategic business models & practices. Co-founder and CEO of an estimated fifty million environmental and IT company, she managed various federal contracts with the EPA and Departments of Transportation, Energy, Defense, Agriculture, and Interior.
She is founder of The Nature Generation, and this nonprofit has worked locally with the Lewes Library and other community programs here in Coastal Delaware. She’s also received numerous honors, including Delaware Today’s Top Women in Business and the Washingtonian Magazine’s Green Leader Award.
Calls for More Civic Engagement
Although Marasco’s ascension is historic, the fact that no current city council member was elected through a contested race has sparked various discussions.
Councilman Tim Ritzert, who opted not to run for mayor, noted that when Marasco becomes mayor, none of the current council members will have been elected to their positions through contested races. All of them will have assumed office after running uncontested.
He emphasized the need for a more participatory democratic process by more citizens in Lewes.
“It bothers me that Lewes, the First Town in the First State, isn’t fully practicing the democratic principle of elected leadership,” Ritzert said, calling for increased citizen involvement on future elections for city committees and commissions.
A Shared Goal
Marasco echoed Ritzert’s concerns, and said she plans to prioritize community involvement.
Her first major initiative as mayor will be forming a committee to revamp the city code, aiming to improve accessibility and clarity, which will then hopefully create more civic engagement.
Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba voiced support, calling Marasco “confident, capable,” and praised her contributions to the city so far.
Marasco will officially be sworn in as mayor this upcoming May and is excited to get started.
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Sources: Cape Gazette, Cape Gazette, The City Of Lewes