Teresa Alonso Leon


Teresa Alonso Leon is an American Democratic politician currently serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She represents 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. 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. Alonso Leon, who became a United States citizen in 2012, was appointed to the Woodburn City Council in 2013.
In December 2015, Alonso Leon announced her candidacy for the House seat vacated by the retiring Betty Komp. She defeated Republican Patti Milne, a former state representative, in the general election with 55% of the vote. Alonso Leon became the first immigrant Latina elected to the Oregon legislature.