Meet Deborah Ross
Chances are, you already know Deborah. She and her husband, Steve Wrinn, are active in the Raleigh community where they’ve worked and lived for over 25 years.
Deborah grew up in a small town and from a young age 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. Deborah’s public service started in 2002 when she ran for and won a seat in the N.C. House of Representatives, where she served for more than ten years. As a Representative, Deborah worked to protect voting rights, fund transit and transportation projects, increase access to affordable housing and raise the minimum wage for state employees. Deborah served as both Majority and Minority Whip and chaired the Judiciary, Ethics and Election Laws Committees.
As a civil rights lawyer, Deborah has fought for fairness and justice, to level the playing field. In private practice, she works for a cleaner energy future. In the classroom, Deborah has passed these same values on to her students so the next generation can lead our communities into a fairer more sustainable future.
In 2020, Deborah became the first Democrat in over a decade to be elected to represent North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional district. In her first term, eleven pieces of legislation she introduced were signed into law. These measures increased funding for sexual assault nurse examiners, enhanced judicial ethics and transparency, and bolstered North Carolina’s offshore wind energy potential. Deborah has returned over $20 million back to seniors, veterans, small business owners, and other Wake County residents. Additionally, she secured $30 million in federal funding for Wake County community projects.
In the U.S. House, Deborah currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Ethics Committee, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. She also holds the position of Chief Deputy Whip on the House Democrats’ leadership team and is a member of the Steering and Policy Committee.
Deborah’s top priorities include passing laws to help local residents, families, and businesses, lowering prescription drug prices, protecting Social Security for our seniors, continuing to push for racial justice under the law, and working to invest in infrastructure.
Deborah and Steve live in Raleigh with their objectively adorable dog, Wylie.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.