Bryan Jeffrey Schurgard Townsend (born May 19, 1981) is an American politician who represents District 11 in the Delaware Senate.[1] Townsend was elected Senate Majority Leader in 2020.[2] He graduated from the University of Delaware in 2003.
Bryan Townsend | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Majority Leader of the Delaware Senate | |
| Assumed office November 4, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Nicole Poore |
| Member of the Delaware Senate from the 11th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony DeLuca |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 19, 1981 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Delaware (BA, BS) University of Cambridge (MPhil) Yale University (JD) |
As a political newcomer, Townsend defeated Anthony J. DeLuca—who was then President pro tempore of the Delaware Senate—in the 2012 Democratic primary by 57 percent to 42 percent.[3][4] Townsend went on to defeat Republican Evan Queitsch in the general election, winning 78 percent of the vote.[5][6]
Townsend was reelected in 2014. He defeated primary challenger David L. Tackett with 78 percent of the vote,[7][8] and was unopposed in the general election.[9]
In September 2015, in the wake of Representative John Carney's announcement that he would run for governor of the state, Townsend announced his candidacy for Delaware's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.[10] On September 13, 2016, his candidacy ended when he placed second in a six-way Democratic primary, behind former state Secretary of Labor Lisa Blunt Rochester (25% to 44%).[11][12]
Townsend supports banning assault weapons and argued in favor of a 2018 bill that was not released from committee.[13] In 2024, he co-sponsored a bill legalizing medical aid in dying in Delaware.[14][15]
References
edit- ^ "Official web site of First State Legislature". www.legis.delaware.gov. January 20, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- ^ Edelen, Joseph (June 27, 2024). "Delaware Senate completes override of governor's veto to State Employee Benefits Committee changes". Bay to Bay News.
- ^ "Incumbents DeLuca and Booth fall in State Senate primary races, Bennett wins primary for husband's House seat | WDDE 91.1 FM | Delaware's NPR News station". Wdde.org. September 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- ^ "Primary Election Results". Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Election Results". Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- ^ "Townsend elected to state Senate - The Review - The independent student newspaper of the University of Delaware since 1882". Udreview.com. November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- ^ "2014 Primary Election Results". Delaware Department of Elections. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Duvernay, Adam (June 20, 2016). "Bryan Townsend has claim to frontrunner status in congressional race". The News Journal.
- ^ "State of Delaware General Election Official Results". Dover, Delaware: Delaware Commissioner of Elections. November 7, 2014. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- ^ "State Sen. Bryan Townsend announces congressional bid". Delaware News Journal. September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ "2016 Primary Election Results". Delaware Department of Elections. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Blunt Rochester wins Democratic primary for Congress". Delaware News Journal. September 13, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Assault style weapons ban unable to get out of committee". Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ Chase, Randall (September 20, 2024). "Delaware governor draws criticism from fellow Democrats for vetoing doctor-assisted suicide bill". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Petrowich, Sarah (June 21, 2024). "Delaware Senate votes against legalizing medical aid in dying, but it could have one more chance". Delaware First Media.
External links
edit- Official page at the Delaware General Assembly
- Bryan Townsend State Senate Site
- Bryan Townsend Congressional Campaign Site
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