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Suzan DelBene

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Suzan DelBene
NameSuzan DelBene
CaptionOfficial portrait, 2023
StateWashington
DistrictWA, 1
Term startNovember 13, 2012
PredecessorJay Inslee
PartyDemocratic
SpouseKurt DelBene
Alma materReed College (BA), University of Washington (MBA)
Birth date17 February 1962
Birth placeSelma, Alabama, U.S.

Suzan DelBene is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the U.S. Representative for Washington's 1st congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected in a 2012 special election to succeed Jay Inslee, who resigned to run for Governor of Washington. DelBene serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee and is a noted advocate for technology policy, tax reform, and healthcare access.

Early life and education

Suzan Kay DelBene was born in Selma, Alabama, and spent her early years in nearby Benton, Alabama. Her family later moved to Tualatin, Oregon, where she attended Tualatin High School. She pursued higher education at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and chemistry. DelBene subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business.

Career before Congress

Before entering politics, DelBene built a significant career in the technology and biotechnology sectors. She held executive positions at several prominent companies, including Microsoft, where she served as a Vice President in the Mobile Communications Business. She also worked at Drugstore.com and Nimble Technology. DelBene co-founded Intelliquest and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Digeo, a company founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Her business background heavily informs her legislative focus on innovation and the digital economy.

U.S. House of Representatives

DelBene was elected to the United States House of Representatives in the November 2012 general election for the 1st district, following a victory in the special election to fill the remainder of Inslee's term. She has since been re-elected consistently. In the 117th United States Congress, she was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. DelBene serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where she sits on the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. She previously served on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Agriculture Committee.

Political positions

DelBene is considered a member of the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She is a leading voice on technology issues, having introduced legislation such as the Information Transparency & Personal Data Control Act. On healthcare, she supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act and lowering prescription drug costs. She advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, climate change action through investments in clean energy, and protecting abortion rights. As a former business executive, she frequently focuses on tax policy aimed at supporting small businesses and middle-class families.

Electoral history

In the 2012 special election, DelBene defeated Republican candidate John Koster. She won the subsequent full term in November 2012 against Republican Pedro Celis. DelBene has won re-election by substantial margins in every cycle since, including victories over challengers such as Jeffrey Beeler in 2014, Robert J. Sutherland in 2020, and Vincent J. Cavaleri in 2022. Her district, which includes parts of King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties, is considered a Democratic stronghold.

Personal life

DelBene is married to Kurt DelBene, a former Microsoft executive who served as Assistant to the President and White House Senior Advisor in the Biden administration. They have two children and reside in Medina, Washington. DelBene is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, often exploring the Pacific Northwest region. She serves on the board of the Bellevue Arts Museum and is involved with several non-profit organizations focused on education and the arts.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Washington (state) Category:1962 births Category:Living people