I began my career advocating for those in need, and now as Oregon’s Governor, I still carry the value of service instilled in me by my parents. My entire focus is on tackling the state’s biggest challenges and building a better future for Oregonians.
My grandparents came from Eastern Europe to find opportunity and a better life. My parents were proud first-generation Americans. With the help of the GI Bill, my dad went to night school and was the first in his family to earn a college degree.
My parents believed in hard work and being involved in the community, and encouraged us to follow our dreams.
When I moved to Oregon in 1987, I found a place where I could truly be myself. I fell in love with the beauty of the state and the openness of the people. I earned a degree at the University of Oregon, graduating without student debt because of a Pell grant, work study assistance, and affordable tuition.
I came out as a lesbian in my early twenties, and while it wasn’t always easy, my experiences strengthened my resilience. For me, being out became a personal responsibility, a way to rise above hatred and bigotry, a way to change the world around me.
After finishing graduate school, I came back to Oregon and took a job at Oregon Food Bank. I was drawn to their mission to end hunger, not just feed people. And because I’m a person of faith with a belief in the inherent value of every person, I knew I had found my calling as an advocate for others. I fought to reduce food insecurity – supporting a strong minimum wage, affordable housing, and access to health insurance.
My work at Oregon Food Bank and later Children First for Oregon – including advocating for Oregonians in Salem – led me to run for public office and serve in the Oregon Legislature, starting in 2007. In my first term, I rewrote the state’s anti-poverty program for low-income families while also securing historic protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
My peers elected me to be Speaker of the House in 2013, and I’m proud of the progress we made together. We raised the minimum wage, passed paid family leave, and put Oregon on a path to 100% clean energy. In 2022, I was elected Governor of Oregon.
In my first year as Governor, I visited all of Oregon’s 36 counties because I wanted to hear directly from families and community leaders across our state regardless of who they voted for or how much money they make. When I go to work every day, I think about what I heard from families who are too often ignored by politicians and I strive to improve our state government to work for everyone.
On my first day as Governor, I declared an immediate homelessness State of Emergency. We are on track to rehouse 3,300 families and keep 24,000 households from experiencing homelessness in the first place – all of this by July 1, 2025.
It’s a strong start, but the job is far from done.
When Oregon’s drug laws needed to be fixed, I made sure Democrats and Republicans came together to address the problems, stop public drug use, and increase the availability of mental health and addiction treatment so people can get the help they need.
I continue to fight for better schools. I expanded summer learning programs for thousands of Oregon students and directed resources to early literacy so all students can be reading and writing. And I’m working to ensure that increased investments come with stronger accountability.
Together, we’re moving Oregon in the right direction. But progress requires persistence. It takes strong leadership to confront the challenges – and the attacks – our state faces.
Immediately following the 2024 national election, I secured a three-year supply of Mifepristone to ensure Oregonians have options in case of a national abortion ban. I will always fight to protect Oregon’s values.
My pledge to you is to put people first, prioritize justice and opportunity, bring people together, and inspire all of us to reach for a better future.
There’s more work to be done to build a better future for every Oregonian. I hope you’ll join me.
Tina and her wife Aimee Kotek Wilson, a social worker, have been together for more than 20 years.
Fighting for progress is going to take all of us. Join #TeamTina today and become a part of the campaign to build a more just future where everyone can succeed.
