Suzanne Marie Bonamici Bio
Suzanne Marie Bonamici (born October 14, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Oregon’s 1st congressional district. First elected in a 2012 special election, she represents most of Portland west of the Willamette River, along with surrounding western suburbs including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, and Lake Oswego. A member of the Democratic Party, she has built a career focused on consumer protection, education, and coastal safety policy.
Before her time in Congress, Bonamici served in the Oregon Legislature, where she represented constituents in both the State House and State Senate. She is recognized for her legislative work on issues ranging from tsunami preparedness to voting rights. She continues to represent her district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Early Life and Background
Suzanne Marie Bonamici was born on October 14, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. She spent her early years in the Midwest before pursuing higher education in Oregon. Her upbringing and family background helped shape her interest in public service and the law.
She began her college studies at Lane Community College, where she earned an associate degree in 1978. Bonamici then continued her education at the University of Oregon, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980. Her academic path reflected a steady commitment to learning and a clear interest in legal studies.
After finishing her undergraduate work, Bonamici enrolled at the University of Oregon School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1983. Her education laid the foundation for a career in consumer protection law and eventually politics. The combination of community college and university training gave her a broad view of the issues facing both urban and rural Oregonians.
Path to US Politics
Bonamici’s first professional role was as a legal assistant at Lane County Legal Aid in Eugene, Oregon, where she gained firsthand experience with consumer and legal issues affecting low-income residents. After law school, she moved to Washington, D.C., to serve as a consumer protection attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. This role sharpened her expertise in safeguarding consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices.
She later returned to Oregon and entered private practice in Portland, where she represented small businesses and continued her consumer protection work. Her legal background gave her a strong reputation as a careful, detail-oriented advocate. These experiences helped pave the way for her transition into public office at the state level.
In 2006, Bonamici ran for the Oregon House of Representatives in the 34th House district after the incumbent, Brad Avakian, retired to run for the State Senate. She won the seat by defeating Republican Joan Draper, 62% to 36%. The victory launched her political career and set the stage for her rapid rise in the Oregon Legislature.
Suzanne Marie Bonamici Career
Early Career (2006-2011)
Bonamici began her political career in the Oregon House of Representatives in 2006, representing the 34th House district. Her strong early performance earned her recognition among Democratic leaders in the state. She served in the State House until 2008, when a new opportunity arose.
On April 30, 2008, commissioners from Washington and Multnomah Counties appointed Bonamici to represent Oregon’s 17th Senate district. The seat had become vacant when Brad Avakian was appointed Commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. She was sworn in on May 19, 2008, and won the November 2008 special election with 97% of the vote. In 2010, she was reelected to the State Senate with 64% of the vote, building a record of consistent electoral success.
Congressional Breakthrough (2011-2012)
In early 2011, Bonamici’s name surfaced as a possible successor to U.S. Representative David Wu after reports of unusual behavior during the 2010 election cycle. When Wu resigned from Congress, Bonamici announced her candidacy for the special election to replace him. She quickly earned endorsements from former Governor Barbara Roberts, former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse, and Oregon Attorney General John Kroger.
On November 8, 2011, Bonamici won the Democratic Party of Oregon’s nomination with 66% of the vote overall, carrying a majority in every county in the district. She then defeated Republican nominee Rob Cornilles in the January 31, 2012, special election by a 14-point margin. The victory made her the U.S. representative for Oregon’s 1st congressional district.
Before taking her seat in Congress, Bonamici resigned from the Oregon Senate on November 21, 2011. She was replaced by Elizabeth Steiner Hayward in December. Bonamici was then reelected to her first full term in November 2012 with over 60% of the vote, confirming her hold on the district.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2012-Present)
Since entering Congress, Suzanne Marie Bonamici has focused on legislation affecting education, consumer protection, and the Pacific Northwest coastline. On July 31, 2014, she introduced the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014 into the House. The bill authorized the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to spend $27 million a year for three years on tsunami warning and research programs.
In January 2023, Bonamici was one of 13 cosponsors of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older. During the 117th Congress, she voted with President Joe Biden’s stated position 99.1% of the time, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. She was also among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.
Bonamici voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7 attacks. Her legislative work continues to reflect priorities from her district, including coastal resilience, voting access, and consumer safeguards.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Bonamici’s career was her January 2012 special election victory, which launched her into national office during a closely watched race. Her 99.1% alignment with President Biden during the 117th Congress highlighted her consistency with Democratic priorities. The introduction of the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014 also stands out as a signature legislative achievement tied directly to the safety of Oregon’s coastal communities.
Suzanne Marie Bonamici Career Wins
Suzanne Marie Bonamici has compiled a series of decisive electoral wins across state and federal offices. Her victories span the Oregon House, the Oregon State Senate, and multiple terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. She has consistently won by wide margins, reflecting strong support in her district.
U.S. House of Representatives Highlights
Bonamici first won her U.S. House seat in the January 31, 2012, special election, defeating Republican Rob Cornilles by a 14-point margin. She followed that win with reelection in November 2012, capturing over 60% of the vote. Her continued service in the seat has made her a steady voice for Oregon’s 1st congressional district.
Other Wins and Achievements
Before her federal service, Bonamici won election to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2006 with 62% of the vote. She was then appointed to the Oregon State Senate in 2008, where she won a special election with 97% of the vote and secured reelection in 2010 with 64%. These state-level wins established her as a rising figure in Oregon Democratic politics.
Suzanne Marie Bonamici Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Suzanne Marie Bonamici is married to Michael H. Simon, a federal judge. Together, they have two children. Her family life has remained largely outside the public spotlight, with her husband and children providing personal support throughout her political career.
Bonamici was raised Episcopalian and Unitarian and later converted to Judaism. She attends Congregation Beth Israel with her husband, who was born Jewish, and their children. Her faith and family connections remain an important part of her personal life.