Suzanne Bonamici

Suzanne Marie Bonamici (born October 14, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the Democratic U.S. representative for Oregon's 1st congressional district since winning a special election in 2012. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Bonamici earned an associate degree from Lane Community College in 1978, a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in 1980, and a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1983. Early in her career, she worked as a lawyer for Lane County Legal Aid, the Federal Trade Commission's Credit Practices Division, and in private practice in Portland, Oregon, focusing on consumer protection. Prior to Congress, she served as a staff member for the Oregon State House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006, then as a state representative from 2007 to 2008 and state senator from 2008 to 2011. In the U.S. House, Bonamici has emphasized public education and workforce development, holding the position of ranking member on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and contributing to the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. She founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional STEAM Caucus to promote innovation through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education, and has advocated for climate action as a senior member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.