Early Life and Education

John Kevin Delaney was born on April 16, 1963, in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. He was raised in a working-class family, where strong values of diligence and perseverance were emphasized. His father was a devoted member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 60 years, and his mother remained at home to care for the family. His grandparents immigrated from Ireland and England and worked primarily in Jersey City, New Jersey—one as a pencil factory worker and the other as a dockworker. During his youth, Delaney worked summer jobs as a bricklayer, painter, and gardener, experiences that helped shape his work ethic early on.

Business Career and Political Entry

Before entering politics, John Delaney built a successful career in business. He co-founded two publicly traded companies, Health Care Financial Partners and CapitalSource, both of which helped provide financing to small and mid-sized businesses. His experience in the private sector greatly influenced his pragmatic, solution-focused approach to public service.

Delaney was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, representing Maryland’s 6th congressional district. While in Congress, he championed bipartisan legislation focused on infrastructure, tax reform, and Social Security. He supported initiatives in public education, early childhood development, support for rural and urban communities, and policies designed to combat the opioid epidemic. Delaney also played a leading role in creating the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus and was a founding member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.

2020 Presidential Campaign

In 2017, Delaney became the first Democrat to announce a campaign for the 2020 presidential election. His platform emphasized bipartisanship, economic opportunity, and long-term planning. However, despite his early entry into the race, Delaney struggled to gain traction among primary voters. During the 2019 Democratic presidential debates, he was frequently overshadowed by other candidates, which led to widespread commentary on social media. He suspended his campaign in early 2020, prior to the Iowa caucuses.

Personal Life and Family

John Delaney often refers to his family as his greatest pride. He met his wife, April, while they were both students at Georgetown University Law Center. April, the daughter of a potato farmer from Idaho, has built a distinguished career as a regulatory attorney and has been an advocate for children’s media education and women’s empowerment. She served as the Washington Director of Common Sense Media and chaired the Board of Directors at the Georgetown University Law Center.

Together, John and April Delaney have four daughters. The Delaney family cherishes outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, especially in Idaho, where April was raised. They are devout Catholics and active members of their local parish in the Archdiocese of Washington as well as the broader Georgetown University community. For over 20 years, they have resided in Montgomery County, Maryland, along with their daughters and two family dogs.