Andrea Salinas

Andrea Salinas is a Democratic U.S. Representative for Oregon's 6th Congressional District, having first been elected in 2022 and assuming office on January 3, 2023. Born in San Mateo, California, to a Mexican immigrant father, she earned a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1994. Her early career involved serving as a legislative staff member for several high-profile officials, including U.S. Senator Harry Reid and U.S. Representatives Pete Stark and Darlene Hooley. She also worked as a public advocate and lobbyist for organizations such as the National Treasury Employees Union and the Oregon Environmental Council. Before her tenure in the U.S. Congress, Salinas served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, where she rose to the position of Majority Whip. During her time in state government, she chaired the House Health Care Committee and was instrumental in passing legislation regarding paid family and medical leave, as well as Oregon’s Reproductive Health Equity Act. She is notable for being one of the first two Hispanic women to represent Oregon in the United States Congress.

Andrea Salinas advocates for policies focused on economic equity, healthcare accessibility, and environmental sustainability. In healthcare, she supports capping the cost of prescription drugs, expanding rural health access, and codifying reproductive rights at the federal level. Her economic platform emphasizes strengthening the middle class by increasing the minimum wage, supporting union labor, and investing in a "green economy." On immigration, she supports comprehensive reform that includes enhanced border security alongside a pathway to legal status for long-term residents. In foreign policy, Salinas supports aid to Ukraine and Israel's right to defense while also calling for a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid and the release of hostages, ultimately favoring a two-state solution. She also emphasizes environmental protection through support for clean water initiatives and transitioning to renewable energy sources.