Candidate Name: Colleen Davis

Party: Democrat

Age: 42

Hometown: Bethany Beach

Political experience: Delaware State Treasurer, 2018 - Present

Professional experience: Physician Assistant; Director of Business Operations, 2.0 Healthcare

What uniquely qualifies you for this office? 

As Treasurer, I am uniquely qualified to face economic downturns, as I demonstrated through the pandemic, while maintaining a level-headed prioritized approach to both fiscal and health challenges Delaware encountered. Since 2009 I undertook venture funding for novel innovative products focusing on anti-viral and anti-oncologic pharmaceuticals growing a fund by several million in less than a year. I consulted in the healthcare industry supporting the establishment of Coordinated Care Networks, Care Agreements, refining care, improving efficiencies, and increasing revenues; all while reducing the cost of care. After obtaining a Certification in Public Finance, I began to seek methods for improving fiscal stewardship.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

My priorities remain; (1) bolstering retirement security and readiness, (2) creating pathways to economic empowerment, and (3) promoting a culture of financial excellence. I have increased the number of individuals preparing for retirement, saving in a higher education 529 account, and preparing for futures for persons with different abilities. This creates a level of security that many have not had in recent years. The opportunity to refinance bonds saved taxpayers dollars, issuing checks to Delaware residents, and creating tax deduction legislation supported citizens at crucial times with a lasting impact. Expanding financial education in K-12th grade, improving access to banks via Banking Desert Initiative ensures we all remain fiscally healthy.

What would be your top priority if elected?

I am committed to addressing all three of my top priorities, bolstering retirement security and readiness, creating pathways to economic empowerment, and promoting a culture of financial excellence. Facing a $255M revenue shortfall at the outset of the global pandemic meant the focus changed rapidly to ensure we continued to provide critical resources, keeping residents alive, safe, and well. This was challenging, yet despite those challenges we responded with critical vaccinations, protective gear, and other essentials and are now experiencing a $1.12B surplus. Our focus must remain on those critical needs but ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to continue to thrive.

Relating to the Treasurer’s Office - if you could change one policy or law, what would it be? Making retirement security more readily accessible to all Delawareans. A retirement readiness crisis is looming, and I believe the Office of the State Treasurer can serve as a catalyst in helping people become more financially secure. Delaware is fiscally healthy, yet we are encountering an inflationary period that may make our citizens ability to navigate very challenging. We must be prepared to rise to the fiscal challenges we are yet to face with a focus on serving the least of us. There are unknowns in our future though I remain confident that we are well-positioned to meet any challenge that comes our way.