Debra Heffernan is a Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives, representing District 6 since her election in 2010. A longtime resident of Edgewood Hills in Brandywine with her husband Pat and mother of three children who graduated from Brandywine School District schools, she is an advocate for public safety, environment, education, women's rights, and people with disabilities. Notable achievements include induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017, selection as Delaware’s 2010 Outstanding Mom Advocate for Education by Parenting magazine, and multiple Legislative Service Awards from the Delaware State Council for Persons with Disabilities. She has sponsored key legislation such as Delaware’s Employment First Act, parental leave laws for state employees and teachers, the Healthy Delaware Families Act for paid family and medical leave, improvements to the SEED tuition-free college program, and measures protecting children from predators, preventing childhood concussions, and offering second chances to first-time juvenile offenders. Currently, she chairs the Natural Resources & Energy Committee and co-chairs the Capital Infrastructure Committee, with memberships in Agriculture, Health & Human Development, Veterans Affairs, and Transportation committees.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from Caesar Rodney High School; B.A. in Biology from the University of Delaware; M.S. in Environmental Toxicology from Duke University.
• Professional Background: Environmental toxicologist with over 30 years of experience, including service on the state’s Hazardous Substances Cleanup Act Advisory Committee; former President of the Brandywine School Board for five years, where the district reduced administrative costs, raised graduation rates, and integrated more students with special needs; co-founder of the Brandywine Special Needs PTA.
• Political Experience: Elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2010 and serving continuously since; active volunteer with Bellefonte Lions Club, local nonprofits, and Special Olympics of Delaware.