Dr. Bethany Hall-Long has served as Delaware’s 26th Lieutenant Governor since 2017. 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 and in the Delaware Senate from 2008-2017.

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 in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University, her Master’s 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.

As Lieutenant Governor and a proud mom, 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’s led solutions to make child care 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 Lt. 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.