Biography
Deborah Ross, born on June 20, 1963, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District since January 3, 2021. Raised in Connecticut, she is the daughter of an Air Force physician and an early childhood education teacher. Ross moved to North Carolina to attend law school and has been an active member of the Raleigh community for over 25 years. She and her husband, Steve Wrinn, reside in Raleigh with their dog, Wylie.
Education
-
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: Brown University, 1985
-
Juris Doctor: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, 1990
Political Experience
-
State Director: American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, 1994–2002
-
North Carolina House of Representatives: 2003–2013
- Served as both Majority and Minority Whip
- Chaired the Judiciary, Ethics, and Election Laws Committees
-
U.S. House of Representatives: 2021–present
- Serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Member of House Democrats’ leadership team as a Chief Deputy Whip and on the Steering and Policy Committee
Notable Achievements
- Authored 13 pieces of legislation signed into law during her first two terms, including bills to increase funding for sexual assault nurse examiners, enhance judicial ethics and transparency, and bolster North Carolina’s offshore wind energy potential.
- Secured federal funding for affordable housing, public safety, and water systems throughout Wake County.
- Introduced comprehensive legislation to help end sexual abuse and violence in sports by strengthening the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
- Spearheaded critical legislation to protect legal immigration options under attack by the Trump administration, including a bill to protect Documented Dreamers.
Ross is recognized for her commitment to equality, justice, and progress, with a focus on issues such as women's health, immigration reform, and clean energy technology.
