Senator Nicole Poore is a Democratic member of the Delaware State Senate representing District 12, which includes most of New Castle and Bear, all of Delaware City and Port Penn, and communities south of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, such as Whitehall and Bayberry. Born on November 14, 1972, in New Castle, Delaware, she was raised in the Jefferson Farms community and is a Catholic. She is married to Bill Poore and has three children: Nicholas, Alexis, and Luke. Her political career was inspired by her son Nicholas's diagnosis with cerebral palsy, leading to activism in the special-needs community. Notable achievements include serving as Senate Majority Whip and Majority Leader , sponsoring legislation for free Delaware Technical Community College attendance via Senate Bill 12 , and establishing the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs. She currently serves as president of Jobs for Delaware Graduates, a nonprofit aiding student career connections, and holds key committee roles such as Chair of Veterans Affairs, Vice Chair of Health & Social Services and Labor, and Chair of the Joint Capital Improvement Committee.

Education and Political Experience

Education: Graduated from St. Elizabeth’s High School in 1990; Associate degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical Community College ; Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wilmington University ; Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Wilmington University.

Political Experience: Elected to the Delaware State Senate for District 12 in 2012 and serving continuously since, with reelections including 2016 , 2022, and ongoing. Prior roles include advocacy for therapeutic horseback riding, funding for the John G. Leach School playground, and advising on the C.E.R.T.S. program for transitioning disabled children to adulthood. Current committees: Chair of Veterans Affairs; Vice Chair of Health, Children & Social Services and Labor; Member of Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology; Corrections & Public Safety; Education; Joint Capital Improvement; Legislative Oversight & Sunset. Past committees and roles: Chair of Elections & Government Affairs and Sunset Committee; Member of Children, Youth and Families, Education, and Utilities Coordination Working Group; Senate Majority Leader and Whip .