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Suzan DelBene
| Suzan DelBene | ||
 | ||
| U.S. House, Washington, District 1 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| November 13, 2012-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 3, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 1 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Predecessor | Jay Inslee (D) | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $174,000/year | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 6, 2012 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Campaign $ | $4,420,726 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Reed College | |
| Master's | University of Washington | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | February 17, 1963 | |
| Place of birth | Selma, Alabama | |
| Net worth | $53,234,032 | |
| Religion | Episcopalian | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
Contents |
She was sworn into the House on November 13, 2012 to finish out the rest of Jay Inslee's term, who resigned to run for governor of Washington.[2]
DelBene is a former vice president of Microsoft Corp.[3]
Issues
Campaign themes
2012
According to her website, DelBene's campaign platform included the following issues[4]:
- Worker training programs
- College tuition assistance
- Higher taxes on those making more than $1 million per year
Specific votes
Fiscal Cliff
DelBene voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was one of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.[5]
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2013-2014
DelBene serves on the following committees:[6]
- Committee on Agriculture
- Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
- Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture
- Committee on Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law
Elections
2014
Race background
Incumbent Suzan DelBene (D) is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program. The program is designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents heading into the 2014 election.[7]
2012
DelBene won the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Washington's 1st District.[1] She won the nomination as a Democrat, defeating Darcy Burner (D), Darshan Rauniyar (D), Laura Ruderman (D), Steve Hobbs (D), John Koster (R), and Larry Ishmael (I) in the August 7 primary. The top two vote-getters in the primary, regardless of party, appear on the general election ballot.[8] She and John Koster advanced past the blanket primary and faced off in the general election on November 6, 2012.[9]
A large field of Democrats competed for the party nod, while county councilman John Koster was unopposed on the Republican ticket. Early polling put Koster well ahead of Democratic frontrunner Darcy Burner. Burner, a progressive activist, had capitalized on anti-wealthy sentiment to pull ahead of former executive DelBene.[3]
In late July, however, an ad blitz from DelBene had pushed her past Burner into the second spot behind Koster in the polls.[10]$2.3 million of DelBene's campaign funds came from her own bank account, although she has raised $500,000 of independent funds as well.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag;
refs with no content must have a name Burner said DelBene is trying to buy the election, but DelBene, who is worth $53 million, said she joined her supporters in investing in her campaign.[11][10]
At a July event, the candidates had an opportunity to name their highest priority. Burner raised concerns about Super PACs and voiced support of the Affordable Care Act. DelBene said she would focus on job creation. Darshan Rauniyar and Steve Hobbs promised to bring a new face to politics. Laura Ruderman stressed greater health care access. The only Republican in the race, Koster emphasized the need for smaller government.[12]
Adding another layer of financial interest is a Super PAC run by one candidate's parent. Laura Ruderman's mother runs Progress for Washington,[10] which by July 31 had spent almost $200,000 against DelBene.[13]
| U.S. House, Washington, District 1 General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Suzan DelBene |
53.9% | 177,025 | |
| Republican | John Koster | 46.1% | 151,187 | |
| Total Votes | 328,212 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
One month short term special election
DelBene also won a special election to fill retiring representative Jay Inslee's seat for a one-month term before the 2012-2014 term begins.[14] The special election took place on the same primary and general election dates as the full term. Washington was redistricted in 2012; the short-term replacement was elected by the pre-2012 district, and the representative for 2012-2014 was elected by the newly redrawn district.[15]
DelBene joined full-term challengers Darcy Burner (D), Laura Ruderman (D), Darshan Rauniyar (D), and John Koster (R), along with six candidates running just for the one-month term: J. Byron Holcomb (D), Brian Berry (D), Brian Sullivan (D), Ruth Morrison (D), Steven Gerdes (R), and Bob Champion (I).[16] As in the full-term election, the top two vote-getters in the August 7 primary will go on the general election ballot.[8]
2010
In a largely self-funded campaign, DelBene challenged Dave Reichert in 2010. Reichert defeated DelBene on November 2, 2010.[3][17]
| U.S. House of Representatives General Election, Washington, Congressional District 8, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | David G. Reichert Incumbent |
52.1% | 161,296 | |
| Democrat | Suzan DelBene | 47.9% | 148,581 | |
| Total Votes | 309,877 | |||
Campaign donors
Comprehensive donor information for DelBene is available dating back to 2012. Based on available campaign finance records, DelBene raised a total of $4,420,726 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 4, 2013.[18]
| Suzan DelBene's Campaign Contribution History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| 2012 | US House (Washington, District 1) |  |
$4,420,726 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $4,420,726 | |||
2012
DelBene won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that re-election cycle, DelBene's campaign committee raised a total of $4,420,726 and spent $4,496,799.[19]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, 1st District, 2012 - Suzan DelBene Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $4,420,726 |
| Total Spent | $4,496,799 |
| Total Raised by Election Runner-up | $1,194,380 |
| Total Spent by Election Runner-up | $1,181,900 |
| Top contributors to Suzan DelBene's campaign committee | |
| Microsoft Corp | $132,200 |
| University of Washington | $19,500 |
| Communications Workers of America | $15,000 |
| Operating Engineers Union | $15,000 |
| Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | $12,500 |
| Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Computers/Internet | $162,650 |
| Retired | $89,875 |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $61,792 |
| Leadership PACs | $57,000 |
| Industrial Unions | $50,000 |
Analysis
Lifetime voting record
According to the website GovTrack, DelBene missed 1 of 151 roll call votes from November 2012 to April 2013. This amounts to 0.7%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of April 2013.[20]
Net worth
2011
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, DelBene's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $23,223,064 and $83,245,000. That averages to $53,234,032, which is higher than the average net worth of Democratic Representatives in 2011 of $5,107,874.[21]
Recent news
 |
Know more information about this profile? Submit a bio |
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term "Suzan + DelBene + Washington + House"
- All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
Suzan DelBene News Feed
- I-5 bridge repair may cost $15M - Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
- Student Loans: DelBene Fights to Prevent Cost Increase - Patch.com
- Gov. Inslee says bridge repair will cost $15M - TheNewsTribune.com
- Congressman announces economic data
- Smokey, spare that lookout ? Washington lawmakers to Forest Service - Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
- DelBene: DoJ must explain ?secret seizures? of AP phone records - Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
- Editorial: Upgrade protections of digital records - The Seattle Times
- DelBene introduces job training legislation in House - Bothell/Kenmore Reporter
- In Our View: Electronic communication privacy Erosion of press freedom - HeraldNet
- The FBI Doesn't Think It Needs A Warrant To Read Your Email - ThinkProgress
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Legislation:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 CNN "Washington Districts Race - 2012 Election Center"
- ↑ Politico "3 fill House vacancies" Accessed November 13, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Seattle Times "The race is on to fill new 1st Congressional District," May 12, 2012
- ↑ Susan DelBene campaign website "Issues," Accessed August 2, 2012
- ↑ U.S. House "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff" Accessed January 4, 2013.
- ↑ CQ.com, House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress
- ↑ Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "DCCC Chairman Steve Israel Announces 2013-2014 Frontline Members," March 5, 2013
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Washington Secretary of State "Top 2 Primary: FAQ," Accessed May 17, 2012
- ↑ AP Primary Results
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Seattle Times "Voters face crowded ballots for 1st District," July 31, 2012
- ↑ Seattle Times "DelBene adds $400,000 in own money campaign; total of $2.3 million," July 29, 2012
- ↑ Seattle Times "Congressional District 1 candidates stake their ground, as poll shows movement," July 28, 2012
- ↑ Open Secrets "Progress for Washington Independent Expenditures," Accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ Seattle Times "2012 Washington Election Results"
- ↑ Seattle Times "Special election to replace Inslee for 1 month," April 2, 2012
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State "Candidate Filings," Accessed May 18, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"
- ↑ Open Secrets "Career Fundraising for Suzan DelBene," Accessed April 4, 2013
- ↑ Open Secrets "DelBene Campaign Contributions," Accessed February 26, 2013
- ↑ GovTrack, "Suzan Delbene," Accessed April 11, 2013
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "DelBene (D-WA), 2011"
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jay Inslee |
U.S. House of Representatives - Washington, District 1 2012-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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