Biography

Andrea Salinas, born on December 6, 1969, in San Mateo, California, is a Democratic U.S. Representative serving Oregon's 6th Congressional District since January 3, 2023. She is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and a first-generation American. Salinas's father immigrated to the United States as a child, working in the fields of the Rio Grande Valley before becoming a police officer. Her family's journey exemplifies the American dream, emphasizing hard work and dedication.

Before her tenure in Congress, Salinas served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, representing the 38th district, which includes Lake Oswego and parts of southwestern Portland. During her time in the state legislature, she held leadership roles such as House Majority Whip and Chair of the House Health Care Committee.

In Congress, Salinas serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. She is also the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, focusing on making mental health care and addiction treatment more accessible and affordable.

Salinas resides in Tigard, Oregon, with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Amelia.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, 1994.

• Political Experience:

  • Legislative aide and policy advisor to U.S. Senator Harry Reid and U.S. Representatives Pete Stark and Darlene Hooley.
  • Advocate for labor unions, environmental groups, and reproductive rights organizations in Oregon.
  • Appointed to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2017; served as House Majority Whip and Chair of the House Health Care Committee.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Oregon's 6th Congressional District in 2022; re-elected in 2024.

Throughout her career, Salinas has been a champion for women's rights, working families, and marginalized communities, focusing on issues such as healthcare access, environmental sustainability, and reproductive rights.