John Ortega

Ortega's official Hall of Fame portrait.

**Thomas W. Ortega** (born November 26, 1961)  is an American politician, and lawyer who has served as the U.S. Senator for the 4th district since swearing-in on January 20th, 2001 until his resignation in 2002. He also served as Governor of Florida from 2002 until his appointment to the House of Representatives, representing the State of Florida ever since 2003. A member of the Democratic Party, Ortega previously served as Mayor of Dallas from 1995 to 1999. Ortega is also the Senior Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party.

## Early life and Education

Ortega was born on November 26, 1961, in Lakeland, Florida, where he resides when the House is not in session. When Ortega was 10, his family moved to the State of Texas, where he attended Coppell High School, graduating in 1979. After graduating from High School, he was accepted in Texas State University, where he graduated and received his bachelor’s in Political Science and Government. Ortega continued his education by going to Harvard University and receiving his Masters, in 1981, as well as served in the Student Council at Harvard. In 1983, Ortega received his Ph.D. in Political Science.

## Mayor of Dallas

In 1994, he ran for the Mayorship of Dallas, where he won in a landslide to Republican Steve Bartlett and was sworn in on June 18, 1995. His primary objective as Mayor was to focus on revitalizing it, fixing all the roads, bridges, and to Legalize Medicinal Marijuana in the city. He was the first Latino Mayor ever elected in Dallas History.

## Senator of the Central District

In 2000, Mayor Ortega ran a successful campaign for the Central Senate Seat. Upon his arrival to the Senate, he was the first Latino ever to be elected as Senate Majority Whip, serving with his wife, Jacqueline Onassis~Clarke, until his resignation in 2002.

## Governor of Florida

After leaving the Senate in 2002, Ortega went back to the state of Florida, where he served a short term as Governor. In his short term, he signed a bill that would Legalize Medical Marijuana in the State of Florida. Upon his appointment to the House of Representatives, he appointed Christina Graham, incumbent Governor of Alabama to be his successor as Governor of Florida.

## Representative of the Sixth District

Ortega was appointed to the House of Representatives' Sixth District by then-House Minority Leader, Effie Stein. Ortega went on to run in the D6 Special, and won unanimously. Ortega sadly resigned a week after winning the special to become President Walker's Secretary of State.

## Secretary of State

When Johnathan Wright resigned, President Ben Walker nominated Ortega to the position of Secretary of State. During his Senate hearing, he said he would recognize Palestine as a state. He was confirmed by the Senate and quickly began working. During his short stint, Secretary Ortega went to Mexico, Brazil, several European countries, and to Beijing, China, where he participated in the APEC Summit saying that all the APEC Countries need to work on combatting Climate Change.

## Governor of Florida

When President Walker lost the election, and President Gregory Abbott became president, Ortega went back to Florida to serve as governor for another term.

## Representative for District 6

When Speaker Graham ascended to the Presidency after President Abbott's resignation, Ortega was re-appointed to the House's 6th seat, Representing Florida, yet again. He brought bills such as the BOSD (Banning Offshore Drilling) Act, the CCA (Character Claims Act), the BAR Act, and numerous other bills.

## Speaker of the House of Representatives

When Speaker Marto won the Senate D6 seat, Ortega ran for the speakership and won without opposition from both sides. During Ortega's tenure as Speaker, he brought forth activity, as well as bringing bills of his own to the floor, and ensuring that the House of Representatives was serious.

## Senator for the Northeast District

When Senator Evie Stein retired from the sim, Speaker Ortega was appointed to the seat, where he continued to bring legislation that would help the American people. The two final bills he brought in the Senate were the LEAD Act and the READ Act. Prior to presenting those two bills, he was appointed as Senate Majority Whip and Senate Majority Leader.