Tina Kotek

Tina Kotek
Name	Tina Kotek
Caption	Official portrait, 2023
Order	39th
Office	Governor of Oregon
Term start	January 9, 2023
Lieutenant	Lauren Dake
Predecessor	Kate Brown
Office1	55th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
Term start1	January 14, 2013
Term end1	January 21, 2022
Predecessor1	Bruce Hanna (Co-Speaker), Arnie Roblan (Co-Speaker)
Successor1	Dan Rayfield
State house2	Oregon
District2	44th
Term start2	January 12, 2007
Term end2	January 11, 2022
Predecessor2	Gary Hansen
Successor2	Travis Nelson
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Aimee Wilson
Alma mater	University of Oregon (BA), University of Washington (MA)
Birth date	30 September 1966
Birth place	York, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Tina Kotek is an American politician serving as the 39th Governor of Oregon since January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the 55th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2013 to 2022, the longest tenure in the state's history. Kotek's career has been defined by advocacy for progressive policies including affordable housing, LGBTQ+ rights, and health care reform.

Early life and education

Tina Kotek was born in York, Pennsylvania, and raised in a Roman Catholic family. She attended the University of Oregon, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies. Her academic focus later shifted to public policy, leading her to pursue a Master of Arts in international studies from the University of Washington. During her time in Seattle, she worked for the Children's Alliance, an experience that solidified her commitment to social justice and advocacy for low-income families.

Early political career

Before her election to the Oregon Legislative Assembly, Kotek worked as a policy analyst for the Oregon Food Bank in Portland, addressing issues of food insecurity and poverty. She also served as the political director for Oregon AFSCME, the state's largest public-sector trade union. These roles provided her with deep connections to organized labor and community organizations throughout the Willamette Valley, establishing a foundation for her future legislative work.

Oregon House of Representatives

First elected in 2006 to represent House District 44 in North Portland, Kotek quickly rose in leadership. She was elected House Majority Leader in 2011 and became Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in 2013. As Speaker, she championed significant legislation, including increases to the state minimum wage, the nation's first rent control law, and a major transportation funding package. Her tenure was marked by navigating a narrow Democratic majority and complex negotiations with Republican senators.

Governorship

Kotek declared her candidacy for governor in 2021 following the term limit of incumbent Kate Brown. In the 2022 Oregon gubernatorial election, she won a competitive Democratic primary against Tobias Read and then a contentious general election against Christine Drazan and Betsy Johnson. She was sworn in by Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson in January 2023. Her early tenure has focused on addressing the state's homelessness crisis, declaring a state of emergency for parts of Portland, and pushing for increased production of affordable housing.

Political positions

Kotek is a progressive Democrat with a record supporting LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights, and environmental regulation. She played a key role in passing Oregon's Clean Fuels Program and legislation for paid family leave. On housing, she advocates for streamlining land use planning laws and increasing state investment. She has been critical of Measure 110's implementation regarding drug decriminalization and has called for a balanced approach combining treatment and enforcement.

Personal life

Kotek is married to Aimee Wilson, a former social worker; they were married in a private ceremony in 2017. She is the first openly lesbian governor in United States history. An avid runner, she has completed the Portland Marathon. Kotek resides in the Governor's Mansion in Salem and is a member of the First Unitarian Church of Portland.

Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of Oregon Category:Oregon state representatives Category:Speakers of the Oregon House of Representatives Category:University of Oregon alumni Category:University of Washington alumni Category:American women in politics Category:LGBTQ+ politicians from Oregon Category:Democratic Party governors of Oregon