Teresa Alonso Leon

Teresa Alonso Leon
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 22nd district
In office January 9, 2017 – January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Betty Komp
Succeeded by	Tracy Cramer
Personal details
Born	1975 (age 49–50) Michoacán, Mexico
Political party	Democratic
Education	Western Oregon University (BA) Portland State University (MPA)

Teresa Alonso Leon (born 1975) is an American Democratic politician who served in the Oregon House of Representatives for three terms from 2017 to 2023. She represented the 22nd district, which covers parts of Marion County along Interstate 5, from Woodburn down to northern Salem.

Biography

Alonso Leon was born in the Mexican state of Michoacán and moved to Gervais, Oregon at the age of 4.^[1] She self-identifies as an Indigenous Mexican and a member of the Purépecha community.^[2] She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Western Oregon University in 2002, and with a master's degree in Public Administration from Portland State University in 2013.^[3][4] Alonso Leon, who became a United States citizen in 2012, was appointed to the Woodburn City Council in 2013.^[5]

In December 2015, Alonso Leon announced her candidacy for the House seat vacated by the retiring Betty Komp.^[5] She defeated Republican Patti Milne, a former state representative, in the general election with 55% of the vote.^[6][7][8][9] Alonso Leon became the first immigrant Latina elected to the Oregon legislature.^[10]

Electoral history

2016 Oregon State Representative, 22nd District^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Teresa Alonso Leon	9,604	55.3
	Republican	Patti Milne	7,711	44.4
	Write-in		61	0.4
Total votes			17,376	100%

2018 Oregon State Representative, 22nd District^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Teresa Alonso Leon	9,630	59.6
	Republican	Marty Heyen	6,486	40.2
	Write-in		33	0.2
Total votes			16,149	100%

2020 Oregon State Representative, 22nd District^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Teresa Alonso Leon	12,168	56.7
	Republican	Anna Kasachev	9,218	43.0
	Write-in		59	0.3
Total votes			21,445	100%

References

1. Walth, Brent. "Whose State Is This?". Oregon Humanities. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
2. "Oregon House votes to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day". KTVZ. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
3. "Teresa Alonso Leon's Biography". Project VoteSmart. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
4. "State Representative Teresa Alonso Leon". Democratic Party of Oregon. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
5. Francke, Tyler (December 18, 2015). "Shake-up coming in House District 22, as Komp foregoes re-election bid in 2016". The Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
6. "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
7. Lehman, Chris (January 6, 2017). "She Became A Citizen 5 Years Ago. Now, She's An Oregon Lawmaker". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
8. "Teresa Alonso Leon blazes path for future leaders". Statesman Journal. January 9, 2017. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
9. Comnes, Julia (November 9, 2016). "Alonso Leon elected to House District 22". Woodburn Independent. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
10. Achen, Paris (December 26, 2016). "Diversity increasing in Oregon Legislature". Outlook. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
11. "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
12. "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
13. "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

External links

• Campaign website