Liz Ortega is a Democrat representing California's 20th Assembly District, which includes Hayward, San Leandro, Union City, portions of Dublin and Pleasanton, and unincorporated communities like Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview, and San Lorenzo in Alameda County. A labor leader and first-generation American born August 26, 1977, she grew up in Oakland, where her immigrant parents worked union jobs in hospitality and janitorial services, instilling her passion for workers' rights. She lives in San Leandro with her husband Jason Toro, daughter, and dog Noah.

Notable achievements and positions include serving as Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, advocating for 19 million California workers; Vice Chair of the California Legislative Latino Caucus; and committees on Budget, Privacy and Consumer Protections, Insurance, and the Select Committee on Fentanyl, Opioid Addiction, and Overdose Prevention. Key accomplishments: authored a law requiring high schools to teach workplace rights and unionization; secured low-cost Narcan to combat fentanyl; saved St. Rose Hospital, Hayward's safety-net facility; won hazard pay for grocery workers during the pandemic; and as the first Latina Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, advanced equitable wages, healthcare, and safety.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix.
• Political Experience: Elected to the Assembly in 2022 , first Latina leader of the Alameda County Labor Council representing 135,000+ workers, and Statewide Political Director for AFSCME Local 3299, UC's largest employee union, where she passed legislation protecting essential jobs. Previously supported striking teachers and community coalitions for better wages and patient care.