By Joseph Edelen

NEWARK— Former longtime state Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, a staunch advocate for government transparency and progressive causes, passed away at the age of 80 on Oct. 25.

The Newark Democrat represented the 25th House of Representatives’ District from 2006 to his retirement in 2022, though Rep. Kowalko continued his public service in the years following his departure from Legislative Hall.

Mr. Kowalko is remembered for his fiery personality during committee and floor debates, his pushback to the self-service aspect of the “Delaware Way,” and his fierce defense of the underprivileged and working families.

For years in Legislative Hall, Mr. Kowalko was the most outspoken progressive voice within the House Democratic caucus, which preceded a wave of newly elected progressives dating back to 2020.

Following Mr. Kowalko’s passing, dozens of legislators remembered the Newark Democrat and praised his commitment to foster transparency in Dover and continuously challenge the status quo.

“For 16 years, Representative Kowalko brought extraordinary passion and principle to his service in the Delaware House of Representatives. He fought for working people, stood up for those who felt left behind, and never hesitated to do what he believed was right, no matter who was on the other side of the issue,” said Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle; Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, D-Dover; and Majority Whip Ed Osienski, D-Newark.

“John could always be counted on to challenge ideas, question assumptions, and to push all of us to think more critically about the choices we make and the impact they have on the lives of everyday Delawareans. His passion could be intense, but it came from a place of wanting the best for every resident in our state.”

Senate Democratic leadership echoed many of these points, calling Mr. Kowalko a “stalwart advocate for transparency and accountability — believing that government should be done by the people, for the people, and in plain view of the people we serve.”

A member of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, Mr. Kowalko spent his years in the House advocating for transparency reforms such as the Office of Inspector General and an expansion of the Freedom of Information Act.

Mr. Kowalko advocated for the inspector’s general office for nearly two decades and was in attendance in August to see the legislation finally become law. He sat alongside Gov. Matt Meyer and bill sponsors Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Woodbrook, and Rep. Cyndie Romer, D-Newark, who succeeded the Newark Democrat in the House.

After the signing, Mr. Kowalko told the Daily State News that seeing the bill become law was a “thrill” that gave him a “great sense of accomplishment.”

“John never hesitated to speak up for what he believed in, even when it wasn’t easy. His passion for fairness, transparency, and doing what’s right set him apart. Whether he was fighting for stronger public schools, better healthcare, or greater accountability in government, John’s work always came from a place of genuine care for people and for our state,” Gov. Meyer said on Oct. 26.

Prior to his time in the Delaware General Assembly, Mr. Kowalko worked as a machinist for over 37 years — 25 of those years were spent at the Delaware City Refinery.

As a member of the House Democratic caucus, Mr. Kowalko did not shy away from challenging leaders in his own party, specifically former Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf and former Govs. Jack Markell and John Carney.

Following his retirement from the legislature in 2022, Mr. Kowalko continued his public service by fighting Delaware’s attempted adoption of a Medicare Advantage Plan for its pensioners.

The Newark Democrat co-founded Retirees Investing in Social Equity (RISE) Delaware, which lobbied against the change and successfully stopped the health care change after a successful legal win against the state.

Mr. Kowalko also petitioned for updated personal income tax brackets in the state, specifically to raise taxes for individuals making over $125,000 annually. While those efforts were not completed during his time in the legislature, legislation to update those brackets has been introduced in the General Assembly, titled “The John Kowalko, Jr. Fairness in Taxation Act.”

He is survived by his wife, Connie Merlet, his children Johanna and John III, and grandchildren.