Deborah K. RossDeborah Ross NC-02

Current Position: US Representative of NC 2nd District since 2021
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: Lawyer from 1990 – 2013
District:  The district contains most of Wake County. Prior to court-mandated redistricting in 2019, it also included northern Johnston County, southern Nash County, far western Wilson County, and all of Franklin and Harnett counties. 
Upcoming Election:

Ross was the Democratic nominee in the 2016 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, unsuccessfully challenging Republican incumbent Richard Burr in the general election.

Ross worked for Raleigh-based Hunton & Williams as a tax litigator and municipal bond lawyer. She taught at Duke Law School as a senior lecturing fellow.

Featured Quote: 
Republicans want to pick their voters rather than have voters pick their politicians. Honored to join @TheRevAl
to discuss how we can combat GOP-led voter suppression efforts in legislatures across America. We must use every tool at our disposal to protect the right to vote.

NC Congresswoman Deborah Ross supports COVID-19 relief

OnAir Post: Deborah Ross NC-02

Summary

Current Position: US Representative of NC 2nd District since 2021
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: Lawyer from 1990 – 2013
District:  The district contains most of Wake County. Prior to court-mandated redistricting in 2019, it also included northern Johnston County, southern Nash County, far western Wilson County, and all of Franklin and Harnett counties. 
Upcoming Election:

Ross was the Democratic nominee in the 2016 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, unsuccessfully challenging Republican incumbent Richard Burr in the general election.

Ross worked for Raleigh-based Hunton & Williams as a tax litigator and municipal bond lawyer. She taught at Duke Law School as a senior lecturing fellow.

Featured Quote: 
Republicans want to pick their voters rather than have voters pick their politicians. Honored to join @TheRevAl
to discuss how we can combat GOP-led voter suppression efforts in legislatures across America. We must use every tool at our disposal to protect the right to vote.

NC Congresswoman Deborah Ross supports COVID-19 relief

OnAir Post: Deborah Ross NC-02

News

About

Source: Government page

Deborah K. Ross 1Congresswoman Deborah Ross is a civil rights advocate, a clean energy champion, a lawyer, and a proud citizen of Wake County. Sworn into the House of Representatives on January 3, 2021, she represents North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District.

Deborah grew up in a small town, and her parents instilled in her the belief that with opportunity comes responsibility and that through public service she could help others and make a difference.

Deborah came to North Carolina for law school at UNC-Chapel Hill and became an active member of the local community. She entered public service in 2002, when she ran for and won a seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where she served for over ten years. As a Representative, Deborah worked to protect voting rights, fund transit and transportation projects, increase access to affordable housing and protect and expand healthcare. Deborah was named as one of Wake County’s most effective legislators for her ability to work across the aisle to deliver results for the people of North Carolina.

As a civil rights lawyer, Deborah fought for fairness and justice, working to pass the South’s first anti-racial profiling law and juvenile justice reform. In her law practice, she worked for a cleaner energy future, helping to create thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector.

As Representative for North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, Deborah is fighting for equality, justice, and progress. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee, House Rules Committee, and the Space, Science, and Technology Committee

Deborah and her husband Steve live in Raleigh with their dog Wylie.

Personal

Full Name: Deborah K. Ross

Gender: Female

Family: Husband: Steve

Birth Date: 06/20/1963

Birth Place: Philadelphia, PA

Home City: Raleigh, NC

Religion: Unitarian Universalist

Source:

Education

JD, University of North Carolina Law School, 1990

BA, Brown University, 1985

Political Experience

Representative, United States House of Representatives, North Carolina, District 2, 2021-present

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, North Carolina, District 2, 2022

Candidate, United States Senate, North Carolina, 2016

Co-Chair, Democrat Conference, North Carolina State House of Representatives, 2013

Representative, North Carolina State House of Representatives, District 34, 2003-2013

Minority Whip, North Carolina State House of Representatives, 2011-2012

Majority Whip, North Carolina House of Representatives, 2006-2010

Professional Experience

Counsel, Fox Rothschild Limited Liability Partnership, 2018-present

Former Adviser, Business Ethics, Duke Kenan Institute for Ethics

Former Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke Law School

Counsel, Smith Moore Leatherwood Limited Liability Partnership, 2017-2018

General Counsel, GoTriangle, 2013-2015

Offices

WASHINGTON DC OFFICE
1208 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515

Phone: (202) 225-3032
Fax: (202) 225-0181
RALEIGH DISTRICT OFFICE
300 Fayetteville Street
P.O. Box 1548
Raleigh, NC  27602

Phone: (919) 334-0840

Contact

Email: Government

Web Links

Politics

Source: none

Finances

Source: Open Secrets

Committees

House Judiciary CommitteeVice Ranking Member

  • Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement
  • Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

  • Environment Subcommittee, Ranking Member
  • Energy Subcommittee

House Ethics Committee

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic

Caucuses

  • Democratic Women’s Caucus
  • New Democrat Coalition
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 
  • House Caucus on India and Indian Americans
  • Pro Choice Caucus
  • Congressional PFAS Task Force
  • LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus
  • SEEC (Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition)
  • Arts Caucus
  • Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) Caucus
  • Zoo and Aquarium Caucus
  • Animal Protection Caucus
  • Armenia Caucus
  • Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth
  • Planetary Science Congressional Caucus
  • Diabetes Caucus
  • House Historic Preservation Caucus
  • Offshore Wind Caucus
  • Congressional Safe Climate Caucus
  • Congressional Electrification Caucus
  • Independent Colleges Caucus
  • Sri Lanka Caucus
  • America’s Languages Caucus
  • Women in STEM Caucus
  • Congressional Moldova Caucus, Co-Chair
  • Nepal Caucus 
  • Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus (IHRDC) 
  • Congressional Humanities Caucus 
  • U.S. – Japan Caucus
  • House Small Brewers Caucus
  • State Medicaid Expansion Caucus
  • AI Caucus

New Legislation

Sponsored and Cosponsored

Issues

Source: Government page

Read relevant news, information and initiatives regarding the Economy.Read More
Learn about initiatives and news items related to Education.Read More
Read relevant news, information and initiatives regarding Energy.Read More
Learn about initiatives and news items regarding Equality and Justice.Read More
Learn about news and information related to Health.Read More
Read relevant news and information regarding ImmigrationRead More
Learn about initiatives and news items related to Transportation and Infrastructure.Read More
Learn about news and information related to Veterans issues.Read More
Learn more about news, information, and initiatives regarding Women’s Rights and Reproductive Health.Read More

More Information

Services

Source: Government page

District

Source: Wikipedia

North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district is located in the central part of the state. The district contains most of Wake County. Prior to court-mandated redistricting in 2019, it also included northern Johnston County, southern Nash County, far western Wilson County, and all of Franklin and Harnett counties. The 2nd district has been represented by Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross since 2021.

Established by the state legislature after the American Civil War, the district was known as “The Black Second;” counties included in the district were mostly majority-Black in population. All four of North Carolina’s Republican African-American congressmen elected in the post-Civil War era (ending with George Henry White) represented this district,[3][4] as did white yeoman farmer Curtis Hooks Brogden of Wayne County, a Republican ally of former Governor William Woods Holden.

After North Carolina Democrats regained control of the state legislature in the 1870s (using intimidation by the Red Shirts and other paramilitary groups to reduce the number of African Americans voting), they passed voter registration and electoral laws that restricted voter rolls. Black Americans continued getting elected into local and state level offices. The state legislature passed a new constitutional amendment in 1900, which effectively disfranchised blacks altogether.[5] This ended the election of Black Americans to local, state or Congressional offices until after passage of federal civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, which enforced constitutional voting rights.

Thousands of Black Americans migrated north from the state in the Great Migration during the first half of the twentieth century, seeking job opportunities and education. By the later twentieth century, before the 1990s, the 2nd district was roughly 40% black. While it had the highest percentage of Black residents of any congressional district in North Carolina, African-American candidates were unable to get elected to Congress from the majority-white district.

State redistricting following census changes led to the creation of the black-majority 1st and 12th districts and drew off some of the Black population from the 2nd. Today the proportion of African-American residents is about 20.11% in the 2nd district.

In 2019, court-mandated redistricting shifted the district entirely into urban Wake County. Incumbent Republican representative George Holding declined to run for re-election in 2020, and Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross won election to the seat.[6]

On February 23, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court approved a new map which changed the 2nd district boundaries to include northern Wake County while moving much of what had been the 2nd district to the 13th district.[7]

Wake County is the sole county in the district.

Wikipedia

Deborah Ross (née Koff; born June 20, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district since 2021. Her district is based in Raleigh. A member of the Democratic Party, Ross served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013, representing the state’s 38th and then 34th House district, including much of northern Raleigh and surrounding suburbs in Wake County.

Ross was the Democratic nominee in the 2016 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, unsuccessfully challenging Republican incumbent Richard Burr in the general election.

Early life and education

Ross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1963, and grew up in Connecticut.[1] She is the daughter of Barbara (née Klein) and Marvin Koff.[2] Her father served as a physician in the Air Force during the Vietnam era and her mother taught preschool.[3]

Ross earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1985 and her Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1990.[4]

Legal career

After graduating from law school, Ross worked for Raleigh-based Hunton & Williams as a tax litigator and municipal bond lawyer.[5] She taught at Duke Law School as a senior lecturing fellow.[6]

American Civil Liberties Union

Ross was hired as state director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina in 1994. She worked on First Amendment and juvenile justice issues. Alongside Governor Jim Hunt and then State Senator Roy Cooper, she overhauled North Carolina’s system for dealing with youth offenders. In response to racial profiling reports, she also successfully encouraged state police agencies to collect race-based statistics for traffic stops. Ross stepped down from her position at the ACLU in 2002 when she launched her state House campaign.[1][5]

GoTriangle

On May 1, 2013, Ross announced she would resign from the legislature in June to serve as legal counsel for GoTriangle, the triangle area’s regional transit agency.[7] On June 1, 2013, Grier Martin was appointed to succeed her in the House.[8]

Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

In March 2017, Ross joined the regional law firm of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP in Raleigh. Her practice focused on the economic development, energy, utilities, and infrastructure needs of businesses and government.[9] Smith Moore Leatherwood combined with national law firm Fox Rothschild, LLP, on November 1, 2018.[10]

Early political career

North Carolina legislature

Ross was first elected to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2002 and defeated Wake County Commissioner Phil Jeffreys in 2004 to win a second term. She faced no opposition in the 2006 general election, and in 2007, Ross was first elected as one of the House Democratic Whips.

Ross supported the Equal Pay Act, an unsuccessful bill that would have banned North Carolina employers from paying workers differently based on gender.[11]

In 2012, Ross compared state coastal protection policies that ignore scientists’ sea level rise forecasts to burying one’s “head in the sand”. She said she was concerned that increased risk of flooding would lead insurance companies to charge higher premiums for coastal property owners.[12]

2016 U.S. Senate campaign

In 2015, Ross resigned as legal counsel at GoTriangle to run for the U.S. Senate in 2016.[13] She won the March 2016 Democratic primary with 62.4% of the vote from a field of four candidates.[14] Ross was endorsed by EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood, the North Carolina Association of Educators, the North Carolina AFL–CIO, American Association for Justice, End Citizens United, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, and the League of Conservation Voters.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][excessive citations]

In the general election, Ross ran against the incumbent, Republican Richard Burr. Ross raised more money than Burr for three consecutive quarters, but nevertheless had less cash on hand as Burr began the year with $5.3 million in campaign funds. As of October 21, Ross was down 2.8% in the Real Clear Politics average of polls. The race received national attention as The Cook Political Report rated the race a toss-up and Democrats viewed the seat as one they could win.[24] Burr won with 51% of the vote.[25]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

On December 2, 2019, Ross announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s newly redrawn 2nd congressional district in 2020.[26] She jumped into the race shortly after a court-ordered redistricting cut the 2nd back to southern Wake County, including almost all of Raleigh. The old 2nd covered roughly half of Wake County, along with several exurbs south and east of the capital.[27]

Had the district existed in 2016, Hillary Clinton would have carried it with 60% of the vote[28] and defeated Donald Trump by over 24 points.[29] By comparison, Trump carried the old 2nd with 53% of the vote,[30] defeating Clinton by 12 points. On paper, the new map turned the 2nd from a Republican-leaning district into a safely Democratic district.[29]

With pundits suggesting that the 2nd was a likely Democratic pickup, Republican incumbent George Holding, who had represented much of the area for two terms in the 13th district before it was essentially merged with the 2nd in 2016, opted to retire. Holding said that the significantly bluer hue of the new 2nd figured significantly in his decision.[29]

Ross won the Democratic primary on March 3.[31] She won the general election on November 3, defeating Republican nominee Alan Swain and Libertarian Jeff Matemu.[32]

Democratic primary results[31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDeborah K. Ross 103,574 69.9
DemocraticMonika Johnson-Hostler33,36922.5
DemocraticAndy Terrell8,6665.8
DemocraticOllie Nelson2,6771.8
Total votes148,286 100.0
General election results[32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDeborah K. Ross 308,458 63.03
RepublicanAlan Swain170,37634.81
LibertarianJeff Matemu10,5682.16
Total votes489,402 100.0

Tenure

As of December 2021, Ross had voted in line with Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time.[33] On July 1, 2021, Ross and Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced the America’s CHILDREN Act.[34] If enacted, the bill would grant a pathway to permanent residency for children who grew up in the United States legally but were blocked from obtaining permanent residency due to green card backlogs and other legal barriers.

Ross voted with President Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[35]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Ross and her husband, Steve Wrinn, live in a home that they restored in Boylan Heights, a historic neighborhood in Raleigh.[40]

Ross is one of three Unitarian Universalists in Congress.[41][42]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pathe, Simone (March 20, 2016). “Can This North Carolina Democrat Become the Next Kay Hagan?”. Roll Call. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  2. ^ Who’s Who of American Women, 1997-1998 Marquis Who’s Who.
  3. ^ Burns, Matthew (October 14, 2015). “Ex-Wake lawmaker Ross enters US Senate race”. WRAL.
  4. ^ “Deborah Ross entering 2016 US Senate race”. WNCN. October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Campbell, Colin (September 30, 2016). “Deborah Ross’ ACLU leadership looms large in US Senate race”. Charlotte Observer.
  6. ^ “Deborah K. Ross”. Indy Week. September 22, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  7. ^ “Rep. Deborah Ross stepping down”. WRAL. May 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  8. ^ “Democrats pick Grier Martin to replace Ross in House”. WECT. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Douglas, Anna (March 3, 2017). “Former NC lawmaker, Senate candidate Deborah Ross hired at Raleigh law firm”. The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  10. ^ “Fox Rothschild LLP — Attorneys at Law”. www.foxrothschild.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Leslie, Laura (April 9, 2013). “NC Equal Pay Act faces long odds”. WRAL. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  12. ^ Harish, Alon (August 2, 2012). “New Law in North Carolina Bans Latest Scientific Predictions of Sea-Level Rise”. ABC News.
  13. ^ Siceloff, Bruce (September 23, 2015). “Deborah Ross, mulling a Senate run, resigns from GoTriangle”. News & Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  14. ^ “North Carolina Primary Election Results”. The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  15. ^ “Christensen: Senate primary is quiet, but you can hear Ross stirring”. News & Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  16. ^ “Deborah Ross”. EMILY’s List. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  17. ^ “Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate Action”. Planned Parenthood. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  18. ^ “NCAE Endorses Deborah Ross for United States Senate”. North Carolina Association of Educators. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  19. ^ “AFL-CIO endorsements include Cooper, Ross, Meeker”. News & Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  20. ^ “Deborah Ross Endorsed by End Citizens United PAC”. End Citizens United. January 27, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  21. ^ “DSCC Endorses Deborah Ross in North Carolina”. Roll Call. January 21, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  22. ^ “Democracy for America Endorses Tammy Duckworth and Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate”. Democracy for America. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  23. ^ “LCV Action Fund Endorses Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate”. League of Conservation Voters. Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  24. ^ Morrill, Jim (October 21, 2016). “Deborah Ross out-raises – and outspends – Richard Burr”. Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  25. ^ “North Carolina U.S. Senate Results: Richard M. Burr Wins”. The New York Times. August 1, 2017.
  26. ^ “WRAL.com”.
  27. ^ J. Miles Coleman (December 5, 2019). “Handicapping North Carolina’s New Congressional Districts”. Center For Politics.
  28. ^ Presidential results for reconfigured North Carolina districts via Daily Kos
  29. ^ a b c Mutnick, Ally (December 6, 2019). “Republican George Holding will retire rather than run in deep-blue seat”. Politico. Washington, D.C. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  30. ^ Presidential results by congressional district for districts used in 2016, from Daily Kos
  31. ^ a b “NC SBE Contest Results”. er.ncsbe.gov. North Carolina Board of Elections. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  32. ^ a b Harris, Madison Hall, Grace Panetta, Margot. “RESULTS: Democrat Deborah Ross projected to defeat Republican Alan Swain in North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District”. Business Insider. Retrieved November 9, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  34. ^ “Representatives Ross, Miller-Meeks, Krishnamoorthi, Kim Introduce Bipartisan America’s CHILDREN Act”. Representative Deborah Ross. July 1, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  35. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  36. ^ “Pelosi Announces Additional Committee Assignments for 117th Congress”. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  37. ^ a b “Committees and Caucuses | Representative Deborah Ross”. ross.house.gov. January 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  38. ^ “Congresswoman Ross Secures Seat on House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology”. Representative Deborah Ross. January 22, 2021.
  39. ^ “Members”. New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  40. ^ Gordon, Greg (October 12, 2016). “Senate candidate opposed ending historic tax credits that had benefited her family”. McClatchy DC. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  41. ^ Sandstrom, Aleksandra (January 4, 2021). “Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 117th Congress”. Pew Research Center. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  42. ^ Roewe, Brian (September 29, 2021). “North Carolina rep urges faith leaders to speak up for climate initiatives”. EarthBeat. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

External links

North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by

Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 38th district

2003-2013
Succeeded by

Preceded by

Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 34th district

2013
Succeeded by

Grier Martin
Party political offices
Preceded by

Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from North Carolina
(Class 3)

2016
Succeeded by

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district

2021–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

United States representatives by seniority
337th
Succeeded by


Wikipedia

Deborah Ross (née Koff; born June 20, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district since 2021. Her district is based in Raleigh. A member of the Democratic Party, Ross served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013, representing the state’s 38th and then 34th House district, including much of northern Raleigh and surrounding suburbs in Wake County.

Ross was the Democratic nominee in the 2016 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, unsuccessfully challenging Republican incumbent Richard Burr in the general election.

Early life and education

Ross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1963, and grew up in Connecticut.[1] She is the daughter of Barbara (née Klein) and Marvin Koff.[2] Her father served as a physician in the Air Force during the Vietnam era and her mother taught preschool.[3]

Ross earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1985 and her Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1990.[4]

Legal career

After graduating from law school, Ross worked for Raleigh-based Hunton & Williams as a tax litigator and municipal bond lawyer.[5] She taught at Duke Law School as a senior lecturing fellow.[6]

American Civil Liberties Union

Ross was hired as state director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina in 1994. She worked on First Amendment and juvenile justice issues. Alongside Governor Jim Hunt and then State Senator Roy Cooper, she overhauled North Carolina’s system for dealing with youth offenders. In response to racial profiling reports, she also successfully encouraged state police agencies to collect race-based statistics for traffic stops. Ross stepped down from her position at the ACLU in 2002 when she launched her state House campaign.[1][5]

GoTriangle

On May 1, 2013, Ross announced she would resign from the legislature in June to serve as legal counsel for GoTriangle, the triangle area’s regional transit agency.[7] On June 1, 2013, Grier Martin was appointed to succeed her in the House.[8]

Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

In March 2017, Ross joined the regional law firm of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP in Raleigh. Her practice focused on the economic development, energy, utilities, and infrastructure needs of businesses and government.[9] Smith Moore Leatherwood combined with national law firm Fox Rothschild, LLP, on November 1, 2018.[10]

Early political career

North Carolina legislature

Ross was first elected to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2002 and defeated Wake County Commissioner Phil Jeffreys in 2004 to win a second term. She faced no opposition in the 2006 general election, and in 2007, Ross was first elected as one of the House Democratic Whips.

Ross supported the Equal Pay Act, an unsuccessful bill that would have banned North Carolina employers from paying workers differently based on gender.[11]

In 2012, Ross compared state coastal protection policies that ignore scientists’ sea level rise forecasts to burying one’s “head in the sand”. She said she was concerned that increased risk of flooding would lead insurance companies to charge higher premiums for coastal property owners.[12]

2016 U.S. Senate campaign

In 2015, Ross resigned as legal counsel at GoTriangle to run for the U.S. Senate in 2016.[13] She won the March 2016 Democratic primary with 62.4% of the vote from a field of four candidates.[14] Ross was endorsed by EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood, the North Carolina Association of Educators, the North Carolina AFL–CIO, American Association for Justice, End Citizens United, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, and the League of Conservation Voters.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][excessive citations]

In the general election, Ross ran against the incumbent, Republican Richard Burr. Ross raised more money than Burr for three consecutive quarters, but nevertheless had less cash on hand as Burr began the year with $5.3 million in campaign funds. As of October 21, Ross was down 2.8% in the Real Clear Politics average of polls. The race received national attention as The Cook Political Report rated the race a toss-up and Democrats viewed the seat as one they could win.[24] Burr won with 51% of the vote.[25]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

On December 2, 2019, Ross announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s newly redrawn 2nd congressional district in 2020.[26] She jumped into the race shortly after a court-ordered redistricting cut the 2nd back to southern Wake County, including almost all of Raleigh. The old 2nd covered roughly half of Wake County, along with several exurbs south and east of the capital.[27]

Had the district existed in 2016, Hillary Clinton would have carried it with 60% of the vote[28] and defeated Donald Trump by over 24 points.[29] By comparison, Trump carried the old 2nd with 53% of the vote,[30] defeating Clinton by 12 points. On paper, the new map turned the 2nd from a Republican-leaning district into a safely Democratic district.[29]

With pundits suggesting that the 2nd was a likely Democratic pickup, Republican incumbent George Holding, who had represented much of the area for two terms in the 13th district before it was essentially merged with the 2nd in 2016, opted to retire. Holding said that the significantly bluer hue of the new 2nd figured significantly in his decision.[29]

Ross won the Democratic primary on March 3.[31] She won the general election on November 3, defeating Republican nominee Alan Swain and Libertarian Jeff Matemu.[32]

Democratic primary results[31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDeborah K. Ross 103,574 69.9
DemocraticMonika Johnson-Hostler33,36922.5
DemocraticAndy Terrell8,6665.8
DemocraticOllie Nelson2,6771.8
Total votes148,286 100.0
General election results[32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDeborah K. Ross 308,458 63.03
RepublicanAlan Swain170,37634.81
LibertarianJeff Matemu10,5682.16
Total votes489,402 100.0

Tenure

As of December 2021, Ross had voted in line with Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time.[33] On July 1, 2021, Ross and Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced the America’s CHILDREN Act.[34] If enacted, the bill would grant a pathway to permanent residency for children who grew up in the United States legally but were blocked from obtaining permanent residency due to green card backlogs and other legal barriers.

Ross voted with President Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[35]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Ross and her husband, Steve Wrinn, live in a home that they restored in Boylan Heights, a historic neighborhood in Raleigh.[40]

Ross is one of three Unitarian Universalists in Congress.[41][42]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pathe, Simone (March 20, 2016). “Can This North Carolina Democrat Become the Next Kay Hagan?”. Roll Call. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  2. ^ Who’s Who of American Women, 1997-1998 Marquis Who’s Who.
  3. ^ Burns, Matthew (October 14, 2015). “Ex-Wake lawmaker Ross enters US Senate race”. WRAL.
  4. ^ “Deborah Ross entering 2016 US Senate race”. WNCN. October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Campbell, Colin (September 30, 2016). “Deborah Ross’ ACLU leadership looms large in US Senate race”. Charlotte Observer.
  6. ^ “Deborah K. Ross”. Indy Week. September 22, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  7. ^ “Rep. Deborah Ross stepping down”. WRAL. May 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  8. ^ “Democrats pick Grier Martin to replace Ross in House”. WECT. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Douglas, Anna (March 3, 2017). “Former NC lawmaker, Senate candidate Deborah Ross hired at Raleigh law firm”. The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  10. ^ “Fox Rothschild LLP — Attorneys at Law”. www.foxrothschild.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Leslie, Laura (April 9, 2013). “NC Equal Pay Act faces long odds”. WRAL. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  12. ^ Harish, Alon (August 2, 2012). “New Law in North Carolina Bans Latest Scientific Predictions of Sea-Level Rise”. ABC News.
  13. ^ Siceloff, Bruce (September 23, 2015). “Deborah Ross, mulling a Senate run, resigns from GoTriangle”. News & Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  14. ^ “North Carolina Primary Election Results”. The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  15. ^ “Christensen: Senate primary is quiet, but you can hear Ross stirring”. News & Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  16. ^ “Deborah Ross”. EMILY’s List. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  17. ^ “Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate Action”. Planned Parenthood. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  18. ^ “NCAE Endorses Deborah Ross for United States Senate”. North Carolina Association of Educators. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  19. ^ “AFL-CIO endorsements include Cooper, Ross, Meeker”. News & Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  20. ^ “Deborah Ross Endorsed by End Citizens United PAC”. End Citizens United. January 27, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  21. ^ “DSCC Endorses Deborah Ross in North Carolina”. Roll Call. January 21, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  22. ^ “Democracy for America Endorses Tammy Duckworth and Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate”. Democracy for America. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  23. ^ “LCV Action Fund Endorses Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate”. League of Conservation Voters. Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  24. ^ Morrill, Jim (October 21, 2016). “Deborah Ross out-raises – and outspends – Richard Burr”. Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  25. ^ “North Carolina U.S. Senate Results: Richard M. Burr Wins”. The New York Times. August 1, 2017.
  26. ^ “WRAL.com”.
  27. ^ J. Miles Coleman (December 5, 2019). “Handicapping North Carolina’s New Congressional Districts”. Center For Politics.
  28. ^ Presidential results for reconfigured North Carolina districts via Daily Kos
  29. ^ a b c Mutnick, Ally (December 6, 2019). “Republican George Holding will retire rather than run in deep-blue seat”. Politico. Washington, D.C. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  30. ^ Presidential results by congressional district for districts used in 2016, from Daily Kos
  31. ^ a b “NC SBE Contest Results”. er.ncsbe.gov. North Carolina Board of Elections. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  32. ^ a b Harris, Madison Hall, Grace Panetta, Margot. “RESULTS: Democrat Deborah Ross projected to defeat Republican Alan Swain in North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District”. Business Insider. Retrieved November 9, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  34. ^ “Representatives Ross, Miller-Meeks, Krishnamoorthi, Kim Introduce Bipartisan America’s CHILDREN Act”. Representative Deborah Ross. July 1, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  35. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  36. ^ “Pelosi Announces Additional Committee Assignments for 117th Congress”. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  37. ^ a b “Committees and Caucuses | Representative Deborah Ross”. ross.house.gov. January 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  38. ^ “Congresswoman Ross Secures Seat on House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology”. Representative Deborah Ross. January 22, 2021.
  39. ^ “Members”. New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  40. ^ Gordon, Greg (October 12, 2016). “Senate candidate opposed ending historic tax credits that had benefited her family”. McClatchy DC. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  41. ^ Sandstrom, Aleksandra (January 4, 2021). “Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 117th Congress”. Pew Research Center. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  42. ^ Roewe, Brian (September 29, 2021). “North Carolina rep urges faith leaders to speak up for climate initiatives”. EarthBeat. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

External links

North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by

Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 38th district

2003-2013
Succeeded by

Preceded by

Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 34th district

2013
Succeeded by

Grier Martin
Party political offices
Preceded by

Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from North Carolina
(Class 3)

2016
Succeeded by

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district

2021–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

United States representatives by seniority
337th
Succeeded by


X

Deborah Ross NC-02

Current Position: US Representative of NC 2nd District since 2021
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: Lawyer from 1990 – 2013
District:  The district contains most of Wake County. Prior to court-mandated redistricting in 2019, it also included northern Johnston County, southern Nash County, far western Wilson County, and all of Franklin and Harnett counties. 
Upcoming Election:

Ross was the Democratic nominee in the 2016 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, unsuccessfully challenging Republican incumbent Richard Burr in the general election.

Ross worked for Raleigh-based Hunton & Williams as a tax litigator and municipal bond lawyer. She taught at Duke Law School as a senior lecturing fellow.

Featured Quote: 
Republicans want to pick their voters rather than have voters pick their politicians. Honored to join @TheRevAl
to discuss how we can combat GOP-led voter suppression efforts in legislatures across America. We must use every tool at our disposal to protect the right to vote.

NC Congresswoman Deborah Ross supports COVID-19 relief

OnAir Post: Deborah Ross NC-02

George Holding

Current Position: US Representative since 2013
Affiliation: Republican

As United States Attorney, his priorities included prosecution of violent felons, drug offenses, child pornography, and political corruption. Holding prosecuted a U.S. Congressman, the Speaker of the North Carolina House, a judge, a state senator, a state representative, and several sheriffs for political corruption and a major terrorism case. When Holding left office, the average sentence in drug trafficking cases in eastern North Carolina was well above the national average.

Source: Government page

OnAir Post: George Holding

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