Representative Evelina “Lina” Ortega has been a dedicated public servant in the Texas House of Representatives since her first election in 2016. She currently serves her fourth term representing District 77, which encompasses parts of El Paso. With a strong academic foundation, she graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in Economics. Furthering her commitment to public service and law, she obtained her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law.
Ortega has built a reputable career as a lawyer, beginning her journey with the Texas Attorney General’s Office before advancing to become an Assistant Federal Public Defender. Over the course of thirty years, she has operated in private practice in El Paso, focusing on providing legal assistance to underprivileged individuals facing significant challenges. Her legal efforts have been recognized multiple times, highlighting her status as one of Texas's Super Lawyers and a Preeminent Woman Lawyer.
Her legislative focus demonstrates a solid commitment to education and public services. Representative Ortega is a member of the Appropriations Committee, serving on subcommittees that scrutinize education funding and economic resource management. This involvement entails direct oversight of budget allocations toward essential services, particularly in education, which aligns with her sponsorship and co-sponsorship of significant bills addressing education reforms.
Notable legislation linked to Ortega includes House Bill 3780, which seeks to enhance public school accountability by implementing stringent measures for underperforming schools. The intent of the bill is to ensure that students in struggling educational environments receive the support they need to improve outcomes. Additionally, she co-sponsored House Bill 1548, aimed at establishing fair salary structures for public school employees, emphasizing the necessity of adequate compensation to support the educational workforce.
Ortega’s legislative priorities extend beyond education into vital socio-economic issues including food security and healthcare access. She backed House Bill 2886, which proposes the establishment of the Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Texas Department of Agriculture to bolster the state’s response to food insecurity. Moreover, her endorsement of House Bill 12, which extends Medicaid coverage postpartum from 60 days to 12 months, demonstrates her commitment to improving maternal health services in Texas.
Her political leanings appear progressive, particularly in her support of healthcare expansion and educational reform. The combination of her sponsored bills showcases her focus on enhancing access to essential services, reflecting a broader commitment to equity and societal welfare. This encompasses addressing health disparities and advocating for educational reforms that empower underserved communities.
Ortega actively engages with her constituents, aiming to uplift the El Paso community through her legislative endeavors. A lifelong resident of District 77, her deep-rooted ties to the area resonate through her personal life as well. She is married to a university professor, and they have two adult daughters, one of whom is a nurse and the other currently in medical residency. Beyond her family, she enjoys being a grandmother, cherishing the time spent with her grandchildren, Agustin, Elias, and Esmie.
Through her extensive experience in law and fervent advocacy for her constituents, Representative Evelina Ortega continues to play a vital role in shaping policies that directly impact the lives of Texans in her district and beyond.