| Congresswoman Suzan DelBene represents Washington's 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of King and Snohomish Counties.
First sworn into the House of Representatives in November 2012, Suzan brings a unique voice to the nation's capital with more than two decades of experience as a successful technology entrepreneur and business leader.
Suzan takes on a wide range of challenges both in Congress and in the 1st District. She is a leader on issues of technology, health care, trade, taxes, and environmental conservation, and is a champion for working families.
She serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is at the forefront of creating a more equitable tax code, health care reform, trade deals, and lasting retirement security. She serves on the Select Revenue Measures and Trade Subcommittees.
Suzan also serves as Chair of the forward-thinking New Democrat Coalition and is Co-chair of the Women's High-Tech Coalition, Kidney Caucus, and MedTech Caucus. She is also a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus. Suzan is Chair-emeritus of the forward-thinking New Democrat Coalition after chairing the coalition in the 117th Congress.
Suzan spent part of her early childhood in Newport Hills and Mercer Island before her father lost his job. After fourth grade, her family moved all over the country in search of work. Through hard work and financial aid, she earned her BA in biology from Reed College.
She started her career in immunology research before earning an MBA from the University of Washington and embarking on a successful career as a technology leader and innovator. Over more than two decades as an executive and entrepreneur, she helped start drugstore.com and served as CEO and President of Nimble Technology, a business software company based on technology developed at the University of Washington. Suzan also spent 12 years at Microsoft, most recently as corporate vice president of the company's mobile communications business.
Before being elected to Congress, Suzan served as Director of the Washington State Department of Revenue. During her tenure, she proposed reforms to cut red tape for small businesses. She also enacted an innovative tax amnesty program that generated $345 million to help close the state's budget gap while easing financial burdens on small businesses.
Suzan's real-world experience in both the private and public sectors gives her a deep understanding of how to build successful businesses, create jobs, implement real fiscal accountability, and adopt policies that provide individuals with access to opportunity.
Suzan and her husband, Kurt DelBene, have two children, one grandchild, and a dog named Reily. |