Raised in New Castle’s Jefferson Farms community, Sen. Poore graduated from St. Elizabeth’s High School in 1990 and later earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in organizational leadership, both from Wilmington University.
She joined her brother in building a successful healthcare staffing startup that was later sold to Welsch Carson, one of the largest investment firms in the United States. Sen. Poore then became a senior client services manager for Agile 1, where she handled workforce solutions for the DuPont Co. She also served as a member of the Delaware Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, volunteered the Rape Crisis Center and served as Exceptional Care for Children’s director of development. She is currently the president of Jobs for Delaware Graduates, a nonprofit that helps students connect with sustainable, skills-based career opportunities.
Sen. Poore’s interest in government policy began after the birth of her oldest son Nicholas, who was diagnosed cerebral palsy. Her activism in the special-needs community led to a successful 2012 bid for state Senate. Sen. Poore was selected to serve as Senate Majority Whip by her peers. She then served as Senate Majority Leader from 2019 to 2021.
Sen. Poore also continues to serve as a member of the Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and the Utilities Coordination Council.
She and her husband Billy live in New Castle with their three children.
Family
Spouse: William E. Poore Children: Nicholas, Alexis and Luke
Education
St. Elizabeth’s High School, Class of 1990; Associate degree, Criminal Justice, Delaware Technical Community College, 1992; Bachelor’s degree, Criminal Justice, Wilmington University, 1994; Master's degree, Organizational Leadership, Wilmington University, 2023
Occupation
President, Jobs for Delaware Graduates
Legislative Service:
Senate, 2012 to present; Senate Majority Whip, 2016 to 2018; Senate Majority Leader, 2018 to 2020
Committees:
- Veterans Affairs, Chair
- Health & Social Services, Vice-Chair
- Business, Banking, Insurance & Technology, Member
- Corrections & Public Safety, Member
- Joint Capital Improvement, Member
- Labor, Member
Legislative Highlights
Senate Bill 12
Thousands of Delawareans are now able to attend Delaware Technical Community College for free thanks to legislation passed by Sen. Nicole Poore. Senate Bill 12 expanded on the landmark Student Excellence Equal Degree program, better known as SEED, which has […]
Senate Bill 160
Recognizing that Delaware owes more than a debt of gratitude to its first responders, Sen. Nicole Poore passed legislation that provides insurance benefits to dozens of active firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and other volunteers who have been diagnosed with advanced stage […]
Senate Bill 289
Following several high-profile cases of sexual misconduct, Sen. Nicole Poore sponsored a series of bills to better protect students from child predators and help police better protect victims from sexual exploitation. Passed unanimously by the Senate and the House, Senate […]
Senate Bill 290
Following several high-profile cases of sexual misconduct, Sen. Nicole Poore sponsored a series of bills to better protect students from child predators and help police better protect victims from sexual exploitation. Passed unanimously by the Senate and the House, Senate […]
