Biography
Colin Rafferty Marie Jude Bonini, despite being called “the longest shot in the State of Delaware” became the youngest member of the Delaware State Senate in 1994 at just 29 years of age. Senator Bonini represents the 16th District which encompasses Southern Kent County and a small section of Northern Sussex County. Colin’s energy, commonsense conservative ideology, and influence have earned him the title of one of Delaware’s most important political voices.
Senator Bonini sits on the Corrections, Sunset, Revenue and Taxation, and County Affairs committees in the 144th General Assembly.
Colin was born and raised in Palo Alto, California, the sixth of seven children. His identical twin, Griffin, is a Superior Court Judge in San Jose, California. Colin came to Delaware in 1988 to attend Wesley College. While there, Colin was a Dean’s List student, was elected President of his Senior Class, and lettered in three varsity sports. He graduated in three years with a Bachelors of Arts degree, and worked as a Surety Bonds salesman at Delmarva Underwriters before being elected to the Senate.
Through his years in the Senate, Colin has earned the reputation as a determined and inexhaustible voice for freedom and traditional conservative values. Senator Bonini votes “No” more then any other legislator, and he is always willing to stand for the rights of Delawareans to live their lives free of excessive government mandates and failed liberal ideologies. Colin is truly a voice of reason in Delaware’s General Assembly.
Colin met his wife, Dr. Melissa A. Harrington, on an airplane in 1997 (on a Continental Airlines flight from San Jose to Houston). They were married in 2001, and reside on their 10-acre Horse Farm “Black Dog Farm” just North of Magnolia Delaware. They have three Dogs (Giles, Mouse, and King), four cats and five horses. Dr. Harrington is an associate professor of Neuroscience at Delaware State University.