Tina Kotek was sworn in as Governor of Oregon on Monday, becoming one of the first two out lesbian governors in the nation. Kotek, a Democrat, was sworn in by Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan Flynn at a joint session of the Oregon House and Senate at the state’s capitol. Kotek was accompanied by her wife, Aimee Wilson, who she acknowledged as “the first lady of Oregon” and thanked for her support.
Kotek’s inauguration follows that of Massachusetts’ Maura Healey, who was sworn in as Governor last week. Kotek previously served as the Speaker of the Oregon House, the first lesbian to hold that position in the US, and was also the longest-serving speaker in Oregon history. As Governor, she succeeds fellow Democrat Kate Brown, who was the first out bisexual Governor in the nation.
In her inaugural address, Kotek acknowledged the significance of her position as an out lesbian Governor, and thanked Brown for leading the state through a difficult time. She cited Oregon’s last Republican Governor, Victor G. Atiyeh, as an inspiration for her plans to visit every county in Oregon and listen to people’s concerns. Kotek promised to address pressing issues facing Oregon including homelessness, lack of affordable housing, and access to behavioral health care, and pledged to improve customer service and accountability in state agencies.