Priorities
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Lowering healthcare costs and prescription drug prices for all Delawareans is at the heart of Senator Siegfried's fight to make Delaware more affordable.
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Practical, results-driven legislation across healthcare, energy, housing, and public safety guides Senator Siegfried's work toward a healthier, safer, and more resilient Delaware.
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From protecting reproductive freedom and expanding LGBTQ+ equality to defending voting rights and maintaining a Democratic supermajority in the State Senate, Senator Siegfried remains committed to progressive values in Dover.
Accomplishments
Healthcare:
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Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Joint Resolution 7, which Senator Siegfried led, targeted greater transparency from Pharmacy Benefit Managers and lower drug prices negotiated at the Medicare rate.
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The "Birthday Rule" (Senate Bill 71), sponsored by Senator Siegfried, gives Medicare Medigap policyholders more flexibility and control over their coverage by allowing them to switch plans around their birthday without a medical risk assessment.
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As prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1, Senator Siegfried secured primary care access and controlled medical insurance costs for state employees
Property Taxes:
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House Bill 242, sponsored by Senator Siegfried, delivered immediate relief for homeowners by allowing New Castle County school districts to reset tax rates for 2025-2026 and reduce the burden on residential taxpayers.
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Senator Siegfried backed a measure giving New Castle County the authority to catch and correct errors in property reassessments before bills reach homeowners
Energy and Environment:
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Co-sponsoring Senate Bill 159, Senator Siegfried helped protect critical renewable energy projects like offshore wind by preventing local roadblocks from derailing them.
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Through co-sponsorship of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 62, Senator Siegfried helped establish utility shutoff protections during extreme weather and winter holidays, alongside Senate Bill 205, which requires large electricity users to obtain operating certificates and pay their fair share of costs
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Senator Siegfried signed a letter to the Public Service Commission rejecting Delmarva's proposed rate increase.
Immigration and Civil Rights:
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Senate Bill 207, introduced by Senator Siegfried, eliminates a fuel tax exemption for airlines participating in deportation flights without judicial warrants.
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Senate Current Resolution 123, introduced by Senator Siegfried, formalizes opposition to the Delaware River and Bay Authority entering agreements with airlines facilitating deportation without due process — after which Avelo Airlines discontinued its deportation arrangement with ICE and Daedalus Aviation chose not to lease a hangar at Wilmington Airport
Corrections and Public Safety:
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The Richard "Mouse" Smith civil rights bill, which Senator Siegfried co-sponsored, advances justice and dignity for people in the corrections system.
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As Corrections and Public Safety Committee chair, Senator Siegfried raised concerns about the planned closure of the Plummer Community Correction Center in Wilmington and is working to preserve its effective work-release program
Immigration and Civil Rights:
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Road plans on Philadelphia Pike that would have caused dangerous delays for the Claymont Fire Company were blocked by Senator Siegfried, protecting emergency response times.
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Aging electric towers in Ardentown and chronic drainage problems near Buckingham Greens were both addressed through Senator Siegfried's partnership with the community.
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Each year, Senator Siegfried's annual Christmas Toy Drive delivers gifts to more than 150 local children
Senator Raymond Seigfried represents the Fifth Senate District, which spans from Claymont to Talleyville, including parts of Brandywine Hundred and the Ardens.
Born and raised in a blue-collar neighborhood in Philadelphia to a union electrician and small business owner, Seigfried developed an appreciation for community service and working families. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Bloomsburg University, becoming the first in his family to attend college. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he pursued his Master’s in Administration and Management from Antioch University. The school’s motto, ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity,’ has been his guiding principle. These life experiences have inspired him to dedicate his life to serving others.
After several years of working in hospitals across the state, Seigfried became Senior Vice President of Administration, Clinical, and Material Services at ChristianaCare, Delaware’s largest hospital system. In this role, he gained extensive experience in budgeting and financial management, providing him with a deep understanding of state monetary policy, a key asset in his work on the Senate Banking Committee. During his tenure at the hospital, he received the Bellwether League Honoree, a nationally recognized award for innovation and excellence in the healthcare supply chain, and was recognized in the Academy Fellowship program.
After 25 years at ChristianaCare, Seigfried transitioned to teaching health policy, finance, and business full-time at Arcadia University’s School of Global Business.
Elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2018, Siegfried served until 2020, where he was vice chair of the Health and Human Development Committee. As a representative, he sponsored and cosponsored legislation to make pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs more affordable, improve the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS), and protected federal workers. He also played a crucial role in establishing the Delaware Health Insurance Individual Market Stabilization Reinsurance Program and Fund, which provided critical reinsurance to health insurance carriers offering individual health plans.
Senator Seigfried also served on the Wilmington Hope Commission, an organization that provides assistance and support to ex-offenders that help them integrate back into their communities. He currently chairs several task forces, including one focused on recommending changes to Delaware’s state charter, and another on operationalizing Cure Violence, a program designed to reduce gun violence in Wilmington. He is also a founding member of RISE Delaware, an organization dedicated to protecting health insurance for state employees and retirees.
Seigfried is also very involved in his community – working with City Councilman, John Cartier on certifying the Ardens Accessory Dwelling Units, implementing vacant housing ordinances, and serving as the chairman for the Arden Community Planning Committee.
Ray is grateful that the people of Senate District 5 have trusted him to represent them in the Senate, where he will continue to work to improve the quality of life for the people of his district and make a difference in building a healthier, safer, and more affordable future for all.
He lives in Arden with his wife, Maria Beatriz Hennessy.
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Paid for by Delaware Senate Majority Caucus Campaign Committee