Tina Kotek is an American politician serving as the 39th Governor of Oregon since January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented Oregon’s 44th House District from 2007 to 2022 and served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2013 to 2022.
Early Life and Education
Born on September 30, 1966, in York, Pennsylvania, Kotek is of Czech and Slovenian descent. She graduated second in her class from Dallastown Area High School and moved to Oregon in 1987. Kotek earned a Bachelor of Science in religious studies from the University of Oregon in 1990 and a master’s degree in international studies and comparative religion from the University of Washington.
Political Career
Before entering politics, Kotek worked as a public policy advocate for the Oregon Food Bank and as policy director for Children First for Oregon. She co-chaired the Human Services Coalition of Oregon during the 2002 budget crisis and served on the Governor’s Medicaid Advisory Committee.
In 2006, Kotek won a three-way Democratic primary for Oregon House District 44, which includes North and Northeast Portland, and secured the general election with nearly 80% of the vote. She was reelected unopposed in 2008 and won subsequent elections with significant majorities.
As Speaker from 2013 to 2022, Kotek was the first openly lesbian woman to lead a U.S. state legislative chamber and was Oregon’s longest-serving House Speaker. She championed progressive policies, including legislation to increase housing production and address the state’s housing crisis. In 2019, Oregon became the first state to abolish single-family-exclusive zoning, allowing for more diverse housing options.
Governorship
Kotek was elected Governor of Oregon in November 2022, defeating Republican nominee Christine Drazan and independent candidate Betsy Johnson. She was sworn into office on January 9, 2023, and on her first day, declared a state of emergency to address homelessness.
She set a goal to build 36,000 new housing units annually, surpassing the previous target of 22,000. In March 2024, she signed bipartisan legislation allocating $376 million toward housing production, including funds for affordable housing and energy efficiency improvements.
Recent Initiatives
In September 2024, Governor Kotek proposed expanding Hillsboro’s urban boundaries to include half a square mile of rural land for a semiconductor research center, aiming to attract the semiconductor industry to Oregon. However, in September 2024, she withdrew support for a federal offshore wind auction off the Oregon coast, citing the need for more time to develop a state-required offshore wind “roadmap” and addressing concerns from various groups.
Personal Life
Kotek and her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, have lived in Portland’s Kenton neighborhood since 2005. They married in a private ceremony in 2017. Kotek identifies as a lapsed Catholic and attends an Episcopal church.