Suzan DelBene

Suzan DelBene
Born	Suzan Kay Oliver 17 2, 1962
Birthplace	Selma, Alabama, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businesswoman
Known for	U.S. Representative for Washington's 1st congressional district, Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Education	University of Washington (MBA); Reed College (BA)
Children	2
Website	[Official House website Official site]

Suzan Kay DelBene (Template:Née; born February 17, 1962) is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the U.S. Representative for Washington's 1st congressional district since 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, DelBene has established herself as a prominent figure in the House Democratic caucus, serving as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) since January 2023 and previously as chair of the New Democrat Coalition from 2021 to 2023. Before entering politics, DelBene had a lengthy career in the technology industry, including executive positions at Microsoft. She first sought federal office in 2010 as the Democratic nominee for Washington's 8th congressional district, losing narrowly to incumbent Republican Dave Reichert. Two years later, she won election to represent the redrawn 1st congressional district, succeeding Jay Inslee, who had resigned to run for governor of Washington. In Congress, DelBene has focused on issues including technology policy, trade, affordability, and immigration accountability.

Early Life

Suzan Kay Oliver was born on February 17, 1962, in Selma, Alabama. Details regarding her parents and upbringing in Alabama are limited in available sources. She later relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where she would build both her professional career and her political life.

DelBene grew up during a period of significant social change in the American South, though specific details about her childhood experiences in Selma have not been extensively documented in published sources. She eventually settled in the state of Washington, which would become the center of her professional and political career.

Education

DelBene attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of Washington, where she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Her educational background in both the liberal arts and business administration would inform her dual career path in the technology industry and later in public policy.

Career

Technology Industry

Before entering politics, DelBene built a substantial career in the technology sector. She held executive-level positions at Microsoft, one of the world's largest technology companies, headquartered in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. Her work at Microsoft placed her among the senior leadership of the company, giving her experience in managing large-scale business operations within the technology industry. Her professional profile was noted by Forbes, which listed her among notable business executives.

DelBene's experience in the technology sector shaped many of her later policy priorities in Congress, particularly around issues of digital privacy, broadband access, and the role of technology in the American economy. Her transition from corporate leadership to public service was part of a broader pattern of technology executives entering politics in the state of Washington.

2010 Congressional Campaign

DelBene's first run for federal office came in 2010, when she sought the Democratic nomination for Washington's 8th congressional district. She won the Democratic primary and advanced to the general election, where she faced incumbent Republican Dave Reichert. The 8th district, which encompassed suburban and exurban areas east of Seattle, was considered a competitive swing district.

Despite a competitive campaign, DelBene narrowly lost to Reichert in the general election. The 2010 election cycle was broadly favorable to Republican candidates nationwide, as the party gained 63 seats in the House of Representatives. DelBene's relatively close result in a challenging electoral environment positioned her as a viable candidate for future races.

Washington State Government

Following her 2010 congressional loss, DelBene was appointed to a position in Washington state government. She was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire to serve as Director of the Washington State Department of Revenue. In this role, she oversaw the state's tax collection and revenue administration, gaining experience in government fiscal operations that would later inform her work in Congress on matters of tax policy and government accountability.

2012 Congressional Election

In 2012, following congressional redistricting based on the 2010 United States Census, DelBene ran for election in Washington's redrawn 1st congressional district. The seat had been held by Democrat Jay Inslee, who resigned on March 20, 2012, to focus on his campaign for Governor of Washington. DelBene faced Republican nominee John Koster in the general election.

In an unusual arrangement, DelBene simultaneously ran in two elections on the November 2012 ballot: one for the full two-year term in the newly drawn 1st district beginning in January 2013, and another for the remaining weeks of Inslee's unexpired term in the 1st district under its pre-redistricting boundaries. She won both races, defeating Koster in the contest for the full term.

DelBene was sworn in on November 13, 2012, to serve out the remainder of Inslee's term, giving her a slight seniority advantage over other members of the incoming freshman class who would not take office until January 2013.

Service in Congress

Since taking office in November 2012, DelBene has represented Washington's 1st congressional district, which encompasses portions of the northern Puget Sound region. She has been reelected in subsequent election cycles, maintaining her seat through multiple terms in Congress.

In Congress, DelBene has focused on a range of policy areas. Her background in the technology industry has informed her work on digital policy issues, including data privacy, broadband expansion, and technology innovation. She has also been involved in trade policy, tax reform, and issues affecting working families and small businesses in her district.

Chair of the New Democrat Coalition

From January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2023, DelBene served as chair of the New Democrat Coalition, succeeding Derek Kilmer, also of Washington state. The New Democrat Coalition is a caucus of moderate and center-left House Democrats that emphasizes pro-economic growth and fiscally responsible policies. During her tenure, DelBene helped shape the coalition's legislative agenda and served as a voice for its centrist policy positions. She was succeeded as chair by Annie Kuster of New Hampshire.

Chair of the DCCC

In January 2023, DelBene became chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the campaign arm of House Democrats responsible for recruiting candidates and supporting Democratic campaigns in U.S. House races. She succeeded Sean Patrick Maloney, who had lost his own reelection bid in the 2022 midterm elections. In her role as DCCC chair, DelBene has worked to develop the Democratic Party's strategy for recapturing the House majority.

As of February 2026, DelBene has stated that Democrats "have an offensive map of 44 districts across the country" as part of the party's strategy to win a House majority.

Trade and Tariff Policy

DelBene has been an outspoken critic of tariff policies enacted during the Trump administration. In February 2026, following a successful House vote to repeal sweeping tariffs, DelBene released a statement saying, "Republicans knew all along these tariffs were hurting their constituents."

In late February 2026, DelBene responded to a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding tariff authority, emphasizing congressional authority over trade policy. She also described President Trump's promise to impose Section 122 tariffs as an "illegitimate use of the law."

DelBene's district in northwestern Washington state includes agricultural producers and businesses with significant international trade relationships, making trade policy a particularly salient issue for her constituents. She has framed her opposition to broad tariff measures in terms of their impact on local businesses and consumers.

Immigration and Accountability

In early 2026, DelBene spoke out on immigration enforcement issues, demanding change following two deadly shootings by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. She addressed the issue as part of broader concerns about accountability within federal law enforcement agencies.

Disaster Relief

DelBene has advocated for federal disaster assistance for her district and the broader state of Washington. In February 2026, she joined the entire Washington congressional delegation in urging President Trump to approve a major disaster declaration for public assistance following historic flooding in December.

Other Legislative Activities

In February 2026, DelBene led the Washington delegation in introducing a congressional resolution celebrating the Seattle Seahawks' victory in Super Bowl LX, described as a historic win for the franchise.

Personal Life

Suzan DelBene's birth name was Suzan Kay Oliver; she took the surname DelBene upon marriage. She and her husband have two children. The family resides in the state of Washington, within the boundaries of the 1st congressional district she represents.

DelBene's surname is pronounced "del-BEH-nay." Her connection to the Puget Sound region through both her professional career at Microsoft and her political career has made her a long-term resident of the greater Seattle metropolitan area.

Recognition

DelBene's election to Congress in 2012 was notable for several reasons. By winning both the special election for the remainder of Jay Inslee's term and the general election for the full term in the redrawn district, she entered the 113th Congress with more seniority than other first-term members who took office in January 2013.

Her selection as chair of the DCCC in 2023 represented a significant leadership role within the Democratic Party, placing her at the center of the party's efforts to compete in House races nationwide. The position gave her responsibility for candidate recruitment, fundraising strategy, and overall campaign coordination for House Democrats.

Her prior service as chair of the New Democrat Coalition also elevated her profile within the House Democratic caucus as a leader of the party's centrist wing. Her background as a technology executive distinguished her among House members and informed her policy expertise on matters of technology, innovation, and the digital economy.