Sen. Stephanie Hansen represents the 10th Senate District, which includes Glasgow, Middletown, Odessa, and communities along the western side of Southern New Castle County.
Hansen graduated from Seaford Senior High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in earth science from the University of New Orleans. Hansen began her professional career as an environmental scientist, and later a hydrologist, at DNREC.
She entered public service as the founder and first president of the Frenchtown Woods Civic Association and then the multi-community Bear Glasgow Council of Civic Organizations. She served as president of New Castle County Council from 1996 to 2001, and, while on council, graduated cum laude from Widener University School of Law.
She practiced environmental and administrative law in Delaware from 2001 to 2020 and served as the chair and vice-chair of the Environmental Section of the Delaware Bar at various points in her career.
In early 2017, Hansen won a special election to succeed Bethany Hall-Long, who had just been elected lieutenant governor.
Sen. Hansen quickly distinguished herself as a prolific legislator best known for her work on Delaware’s energy policy, the opioid epidemic and a host of environmental and conservation issues, including the prevention of native species extinction and the promotion of renewable energy. She also formed the Energy Stakeholders Group to guide the development of Delaware’s energy policy and the HOA Leaders Forum for homeowner associations.
She currently serves as chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee, vice chair of the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee, and a member of the Senate Agriculture, Education, and Health & Social Services committees. She also holds a seat on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.
Sen. Hansen and her husband David live in Middletown. She has five children and stepchildren, and many grandchildren.
Family
Spouse: David Marturana; Children: Patti, Tom and Ginger; Step-children: Brian and Amy
Education
Seaford High School, Class of 1979; Bachelor’s degree, Geology, University of Delaware, 1984; Master’s degree, Earth Science, University of New Orleans, 1986; Juris Doctorate, Widener University School of Law, 2000
Occupation
Retired attorney
Legislative Service:
Senate, 2017 to present
Committees:
- Environment, Energy & Transportation, Chair
- Elections & Government Affairs, Vice-Chair
- Agriculture, Member
- Education, Member
- Health & Social Services, Member
- Joint Finance, Member
Legislative Highlights
Senate Bill 22
As chair of the Senate Environment & Energy Committee, Sen. Stephanie Hasen enacted legislation to protect Delaware’s native flora and fauna by limiting the sale of invasive plants, starting in 2022. Based on recommendations from the Statewide Ecological Extinction Task […]
Senate Bill 33
Sen. Stephanie Hansen further cemented her place as one of the General Assembly’s leading voices on the environment and energy by passing legislation that will significantly increase Delaware’s use of renewable energy for decades to come. Passed with bipartisan support, […]
Senate Bill 24 (S)
Continuing her work to protect Delaware’s natural environment from pollution, Sen. Stephanie Hansen enacted legislation to help curb the mass release of helium-filled balloons that clog Delaware’s waterways with petrochemical waste and threaten the lives of livestock and marine animals. […]
Senate Bill 2
Thousands of Delawareans previously unable to benefit from the cost savings and low carbon footprint of solar power are now able to reap the benefits of renewable energy thanks to a new class of community-solar generating facilities enabled by legislation […]
