Liz Ortega

Elizabeth Ortega-Toro (née Ortega; born August 26, 1977) is an American politician and labor executive who is a member of the California State Assembly from the 20th district since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, her district includes the southern East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ortega immigrated to the United States at age three and was raised in Oakland. She has a bachelor of science from the University of Phoenix. She served as the statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299 before becoming the first Latina elected to serve as the executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, a central labor council that represents all labor unions in Alameda County.

Ortega was first elected to the Assembly in 2022, defeating Dublin City Councilmember Shawn Kumagai. She assumed office on December 5, 2022.

Early life and education Ortega was born in Mexico on August 26, 1977. Her family is from the Guadalajara area. Ortega immigrated to the United States at age three with her mother and brother; her father had already immigrated to the United States. They crossed the border in San Diego and moved to the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, where Ortega was raised and attended public school.

Ortega returned to the Alameda Labor Council in 2017 as its Executive Secretary-Treasurer. She was the first Latina to serve in that position.

California State Assembly Tenure Ortega was sworn in on December 5, 2022. She represents the 20th district, which includes the Alameda County communities of San Leandro, Union City, Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Cherryland, Ashland, and parts of Dublin and Pleasanton.

Ortega is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.

Electoral history

Personal life Ortega is married to Jason Toro. They have four children together and live in San Leandro.