Valerie J. Longhurst is the first female Speaker of the House in Delaware history. She was first elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent the 15th District. The district consists of 24,000 people living in Bear and St. Georges. In 2008, she was elected as the House Majority Whip and served for four years. After the 2012 election, her caucus elected her House Majority Leader. In June 2023, she was elected Speaker of the House.
Valerie spent her early adult years working in the insurance industry. She formerly worked for AIG Insurance in Chadds Ford, Pa. During her tenure, she advanced her career from corporate trainer to quality assurance manager and ultimately to director of operations.
In addition to her responsibilities in the General Assembly, she plays an important role in many local and national organizations, including Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Board member, National Conference of State Legislators- Women’s Network Advisory Council member, Revenue and Budget Standing Committee member, Redistricting and Elections Task Force member, Council for State Governments Budget and Revenue Standing Committee member, Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA Board member, Police Action League Board member, Delaware Sports Commission Advisory Council member.
Prior to becoming a Legislator, she volunteered for local organizations, including: Community Advisory Panel member for Delaware City Refinery; Delaware support group leader for National Alopecia Areata Foundation; board member, softball commissioner and coach for Bear Babe Ruth Little League; Vice President of Emerald Ridge Maintenance Corporation.
Family
Son Andrew and daughter Peyton
Education
Western High School; West Chester University
Occupation
Executive Director, Police Athletic League of Delaware
Legislative Service:
House, 2004 - Present
Committees:
Administration, Member
Ethics, Member
Rules, Member
Legislative Highlights
House Bill 479
This Act increases the civil penalty for violating the parking regulations in § 4180 from not less than $10 nor more than $25 to not less than $100 nor more than $500. This Act also increases the minimum fine for […]
House Bill 480
This Act amends the Delaware Code relating to financial assistance for education in order to promote and support the state’s high demand career fields and reduce student debt for Delaware residents. The Act clarifies the Delaware Higher Education Office’s role […]
House Bill 487
Apprenticeship and workplace-based training are an “earn while you learn” systems that offer young people the chance to learn from the best trained construction workers in Delaware. Skilled craft apprenticeship programs offer the necessary capacities, resources, and flexibility needed to […]
House Bill 488
This Act prohibits a seller from imposing a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means. […]