Opinion ID: 2367442
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Second Question Certified

Text: There is no dispute as to the second question certified. The question is: 2. Where a gubernatorial appointment was made and a Commission issued on January 6, 1981 pursuant to Delaware Constitution Article III, § 9 to fill a vacancy purportedly happening during a recess of the Senate, did not that Commission expire at the end of the next session of the Senate? Assuming that Mr. DiMondi was properly appointed, everyone now concedes that his commission expired at the end of the next session of the Senate. State ex rel. Satterthwaite v. Stover, Del.Super., 159 A. 239 (1932). Thus the answer to the question is yes; assuming the appointment was valid when made, it has now expired. Mr. DiMondi is no longer a party in interest and, on remand, he should be removed as a party. But Relator's lack of standing does not preclude the Court's consideration of this matter. The Attorney General may proceed alone. A quo warranto action is of a public, not private nature. The Attorney General is the defender of the public interest and has standing to bring an action to protect the public from the alleged usurpation of a public office. Hampson v. State ex rel. Buckson, Del.Supr., 233 A.2d 155, 157 (1967); Cleaver v. Roberts, Del. Supr., 203 A.2d 63, 68 (1964); State ex rel. Green v. Glenn, Del.Super., 4 A.2d 366, 367 (1939). The question remains as to whether Mr. DiMondi at one time had a valid term which divested Mr. Killen of his office as an Authority member. Thus, a question requiring the interpretation of the pertinent constitutional and statutory provisions pertaining to the right to fill that office remains ripe for decision. Compare State ex rel. Craven v. Shaw, Del.Super., 126 A.2d 542, 552 (1956), aff'd sub nom. State ex rel. Craven v. Schorr, Del.Supr., 131 A.2d 158, 164 (1957).