Lisa Reynolds

Lisa Reynolds is an American physician and politician, currently serving as a member of the Oregon State Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 17th district, which includes most of Downtown Portland and the communities of Cedar Mill and Bethany. She previously served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2021 to 2024.

Early life and education Reynolds was born and raised in suburban Chicago. Her father Charlie Reynolds was a roofer and her mother Phyllis was an activist. Her mother instilled the importance of education and graduated from college at the age of 40. She has one sister and two brothers. One of her brothers, Pat, has schizophrenia.

Reynolds earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and a medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine.

Career Reynolds was a pediatric resident at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center from 1991–94 and was chief resident in pediatrics at Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital from 1994-95. She is currently a pediatrician in Washington County. She is also the co-founder of a political organization, Indivisible Oregon.

Oregon House of Representatives In December 2019, State Representative Jennifer Williamson resigned to run for Oregon Secretary of State. The Multnomah County Commission selected Portland Planning & Sustainability Commission member Akasha Lawrence-Spence to replace her in a placeholder capacity, until the next election. Lisa Reynolds announced her candidacy for the seat and defeated three other candidates in a competitive primary. She went on to defeat Republican small business owner James A. Ball in the general election.

For the 2021 session, Reynolds was appointed vice-chair of the Early Childhood Committee, and also served on the Behavioral Health and Water Committees.

For the 2023 session, she was appointed Chair of the Early Childhood Committee, and also served on the Judiciary Committee. Reynolds, having already won re-election to the house just two weeks prior, was replaced in the house by Mari Watanabe, who became the first Japanese American to ever serve in either branch of the Oregon Legislature.

For the 2025 session, Reynolds was appointed chair of the Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee, and was also appointed to the Human Services and Health Care Committees.

In 2025, Reynolds co-sponsored Senate Bill 28, which would require commercial insurers to reimburse independent primary care clinics at similar rates to hospital-owned clinics. Reynolds, a doctor, faced criticisms of a conflict of interest. The Legislative Counsel found that Reynolds qualifies for a "class exemption," a rule which allows public officials to take official action that would equally impact all members of a group.

Personal life Reynolds has one sister and two brothers, one of whom, Pat, has schizophrenia.