Summary
Bethany A. Hall-Long (born November 12, 1963) is an American politician who has served as the 75th governor of Delaware since January 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Hall-Long previously served as lieutenant governor of Delaware from 2017 to 2025 and in the Delaware Senate from 2008 to 2016 and in the Delaware House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008.
In April 2024, she announced her candidacy for governor of Delaware in 2024 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Matt Meyer. She assumed the governorship when John Carney resigned to become mayor of Wilmington and is completing the remaining two weeks of Carney’s term.
OnAir Post: Bethany Hall-Long – DE
About
Overview
Dr. Bethany Hall-Long was sworn in as Delaware’s 75th Governor on January 7, 2025. A lifelong nurse, nationally recognized research scientist, and highly qualified policymaker, Bethany has deep experience bringing people together to find common-sense solutions for Delaware families and communities. She previously served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 2002-2008, in the Delaware Senate from 2008-2017 and as Delaware’s 26th Lieutenant Governor from 2017-25.
Born and raised in Sussex County on her family farm, she graduated from Indian River High School where she met her husband, a U.S. Navy veteran. The first in her family to graduate from college, Bethany earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University, her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina, and her PhD in Nursing and Health Administration from George Mason University. She went on to educate thousands of Delaware students as a professor of nursing and urban affairs and public policy at the University of Delaware, and her work to reduce health inequities has received national recognition.
Bethany has focused on strengthening working families and expanding opportunities for all Delawareans, regardless of their background. She’s worked to develop pathways to good-paying jobs, opening more STEM careers to women and championing legislation that levels the playing field for small businesses.
As chair of the Delaware Early Learning Advisory Committee, she led solutions to make childcare more affordable and accessible to more families. And through her leadership with the Behavioral Health Consortium, Bethany brought together law enforcement, health professionals and community advocates to tackle the mental health and opioid crisis head on, creating the nation’s first overdose system of care and working to ensure our most vulnerable residents have the housing, food, and job supports they need to sustain recovery.
Additionally, Bethany lends her expertise and leadership on various national committees. She is the National Co-Chair of Million Women Mentors and past chair of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association. She also serves as Delaware’s sole representative for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals
Bethany’s work, research, and accomplishments focus on finding real solutions for Delaware families every single day.
Source: Government page
