Sue Rieke Smith is a Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 26 in northern Oregon, which includes portions of Clackamas County and Washington County.

Sue Rieke Smith is a third-generation Oregonian with a career rooted in public service, social justice, and education. She began as a trauma and public health nurse, working with communities affected by poverty and racial inequities, and led efforts to unionize her workplace for fair wages and safe conditions. Transitioning to education, she served as a Title I teacher and held leadership roles in high-need schools before becoming superintendent of the Tigard-Tualatin School District and Springfield Public Schools. There, she built strong school-community partnerships, collaborated with local governments and chambers of commerce, and drove academic gains, including raising Tigard-Tualatin graduation rates above 90% , boosting Springfield graduation rates by 10% , and establishing Oregon’s first anti-hate speech policy with students and board members. She was appointed to the Oregon House to succeed Courtney Neron Misslin, who moved to the Senate. In the legislature, she focuses on supporting working families, strengthening public schools, protecting workers’ rights, and promoting equity.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Oregon in 2015.
• Political Experience: Oregon House of Representatives, District 26 ; prior roles on the Oregon Educators Benefits Board and Educator Advancement Council.