A well-known face in American politics, Tina Kotek is the 39th governor of Oregon. She took on the role in 2023 and has been serving since then.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Tina has had a long political career. Before becoming governor, she served as a state representative for Oregon’s 44th district from 2007 to 2022. During this time, she held multiple leadership roles, including Speaker and Majority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives. She is also the first lesbian governor in the United States. If you are eager to learn more about her career journey, we have sorted the details in the post below.
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Early Life
Tina Kotek’s birth name is Chritine Kotek. She was born on 30th September 1966, in York, Pennsylvania, to parents Florence and Jerry Albert Kotek. Her mother is Slovene, while her father has Czech ancestry.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Tina attended public schools. She completed her high school graduation from Dallastown Area High School. To pursue higher education, she later enrolled at Georgetown University. But instead of completing her course, she quit it mid-way to work as a travel agent.
Later, she relocated to Oregon, where she attended the University of Oregon to obtain a bachelor’s degree in religious studies. After that, she completed her master’s degree in international studies and comparative religion from the University of Washington.
Beginning of Career
Before entering politics, Kotek worked in non-profit organisations. She was a policy advocate for the Oregon Food Bank and later worked with the Children First for Oregon organisation.
Her early work helped her understand the struggles of working families and the need for government policies to support them.
Shot to Fame
Tina Kotek’s political career took off when she was elected as a state representative for Oregon’s 44th district in 2006. With hard work, she became the Majority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives in 2011.
In 2013, she was elected as the Speaker of the House, which made her one of the most influential politicians in Oregon. Fast forward to 2022, Tina ran for governor and won against Betsy Johnson and Christine Drazan. She officially resumed office as governor on 9th January 2023.
Relationship
Talking about Tina Kotek’s personal life, she is a married woman. Her wife is Aimee Wilson, who she met in 2005. They dated for many years before tying the knot in 2017. Their wedding was a private ceremony that was attended by only close friends and family.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
As of 2025, Tina Kotek’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. As an established politician, her main source of income comes from her salary as the governor of Oregon. Before that, she earned a salary as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.
Tina Kotek has been serving as a politician since the 2000s. This has helped her earn a steady income. Currently, she is 58 years old and highly successful in her field.
