Ted Lieu

Ted Lieu
Born	Ted Win-Ping Lieu 29 3, 1969
Birthplace	Taipei, Taiwan
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 36th congressional district; Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
Education	Georgetown University (JD)
Children	2
Website	[Official Congressional website Official site]

Ted Win-Ping Lieu (Template:Zh; born March 29, 1969) is an American lawyer, politician, and retired military officer serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 36th congressional district since 2023, having previously represented the 33rd congressional district from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Lieu has served as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus since January 2023. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Lieu emigrated to the United States with his family at age three, making him one of the few naturalized citizens to serve in the U.S. Congress. His district encompasses the South Bay and Westside regions of Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the Beach Cities. Before entering Congress, Lieu served in the California State Assembly representing the 53rd district from 2005 to 2010 and in the California State Senate representing the 28th district from 2011 to 2014. A graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown University Law Center, he served on active duty with the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1995 to 1999 and continued in the Air Force Reserve Command until 2021, attaining the rank of colonel.

Early Life

Ted Win-Ping Lieu was born on March 29, 1969, in Taipei, Taiwan. His family emigrated to the United States when he was three years old. Lieu grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area, where his parents operated a gift store. As a Taiwanese American, Lieu is among a small number of naturalized U.S. citizens to serve in the United States Congress.

Lieu's family background and immigrant experience have been recurring themes in his public life and political career. Growing up in a working-class immigrant household, he later credited his family's experience with shaping his views on immigration policy and public service. His parents' decision to leave Taiwan and settle in the United States during a period of significant Taiwanese emigration placed young Lieu in a community of Asian Americans navigating life in the American Midwest.

Education

Lieu attended Stanford University, where he earned two undergraduate degrees — a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. He subsequently enrolled at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education at Georgetown prepared him for a career that would span military law, state-level politics, and eventually federal office. Lieu graduated with honors from both institutions, and his dual-degree background at Stanford reflected broad academic interests that extended beyond a single discipline.

Career

Military Service

Following his graduation from law school, Lieu entered active duty service with the United States Air Force, serving in the Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1995 to 1999. In his capacity as a military lawyer, Lieu handled legal matters for the Air Force during a period that included significant U.S. military operations overseas. After completing his active duty commitment, Lieu transitioned to the Air Force Reserve Command in 2000, where he continued to serve for over two decades.

During his time in the reserves, Lieu was promoted through the ranks, eventually reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel while simultaneously serving in the California State Legislature. He attained the rank of colonel in 2015, the same year he began serving in the United States Congress. Lieu's military service concluded with his retirement from the Air Force Reserve Command in 2021, after more than 25 years of combined active and reserve duty. His military background has informed his legislative work, particularly on matters relating to veterans' affairs, national defense, and military justice.

California State Assembly (2005–2010)

Lieu's entry into elected office came under unusual circumstances. He was elected to the California State Assembly in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Assemblyman Mike Gordon, who had represented the 53rd Assembly district. Lieu took office on September 21, 2005, and served in the Assembly until November 30, 2010.

During his time in the State Assembly, Lieu established himself as an active legislator on a range of issues. He was involved in efforts to support veterans and military personnel in California. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed bills that Lieu had championed to benefit veterans and military personnel in the state.

Lieu also worked on issues affecting the Asian American community. In 2008, he joined with California State Senator Leland Yee to help rescind the LPGA's English-language policy penalties, which had been criticized as discriminatory toward international players, many of whom were of Asian descent.

During his Assembly tenure, Lieu also engaged in local issues affecting his constituents. He was involved in matters concerning coastal communities and environmental policy in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County.

2010 Attorney General Campaign

In 2009, Lieu entered the race for California Attorney General, seeking to become the first Asian American to hold that office in the state's history. His candidacy attracted attention within California's Asian American community and among legal professionals. During the campaign, Lieu highlighted his background as both a military lawyer and state legislator, as well as his experience prosecuting cases in the Air Force. He ultimately did not win the Democratic primary, which was won by Kamala Harris, who went on to win the general election and become California's Attorney General.

California State Senate (2011–2014)

Following his tenure in the Assembly and his attorney general campaign, Lieu was elected to the California State Senate in a special election to represent the 28th Senate district, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Senator Jenny Oropeza. He took office on February 18, 2011, and served until November 30, 2014, when he resigned to take his seat in the U.S. Congress.

In the State Senate, Lieu served on committees including the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. He was involved in debates over several significant legislative issues during his tenure. He was noted for his positions on technology and privacy issues, subjects that would later become central to his work in Congress.

Lieu also engaged in debates surrounding Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 5 (SCA 5), a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that addressed affirmative action in public education. The measure generated significant discussion within the California legislature and the broader Asian American community.

U.S. House of Representatives (2015–present)

Election to Congress

In 2014, Lieu ran for the U.S. House seat being vacated by retiring Representative Henry Waxman, who had represented California's 33rd congressional district for four decades. Lieu won the general election and took office on January 3, 2015, succeeding Waxman. His election made him one of the few Taiwanese Americans and naturalized citizens serving in Congress. Following redistricting after the 2020 census, Lieu's district was redesignated as California's 36th congressional district beginning in 2023.

Legislative Activities

In Congress, Lieu has focused on a range of issues including technology policy, cybersecurity, civil liberties, and national security. He has been a prominent voice on matters relating to encryption and digital privacy. In 2016, he introduced legislation that would prevent state and local governments from passing laws aimed at weakening smartphone encryption, reflecting his position that strong encryption is essential for cybersecurity and individual privacy.

Lieu introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and other labor-related legislation during his time in Congress. He has also been active on issues pertaining to immigration reform, climate change, and government accountability.

In the 115th Congress (2017–2019), Lieu introduced H.R. 669, among other pieces of legislation. He also contributed to the For the People Act of 2019, proposing amendments to the legislation aimed at reforming government ethics, campaign finance, and voting rights.

Leadership Roles

Lieu's role within the Democratic caucus has grown over his tenure in Congress. In 2017, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Lieu as assistant whip of the 115th Congress, a role that involved helping to coordinate legislative strategy and votes among Democratic members.

From January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023, Lieu served as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, alongside Representatives Matt Cartwright, Debbie Dingell, and Joe Neguse. In this capacity, he was involved in shaping the party's messaging and policy communications strategy.

In January 2023, Lieu was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, serving under Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries. This position made Lieu one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans in the Democratic leadership structure in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Recent Congressional Activities

In 2025, Lieu remained active in congressional oversight and policy debates. He issued a statement opposing the Trump Administration's military action in Venezuela, asserting concerns about the use of military force without congressional authorization.

Lieu also continued his work on behalf of his district, announcing federal funding for stormwater infrastructure improvements in Rolling Hills Estates, California, a community within his congressional district.

During congressional hearings related to the release of files connected to Jeffrey Epstein, Lieu made statements calling for further scrutiny of the documents and criticized Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's comments regarding the matter. Lieu cited federal sex trafficking law in his remarks and called attention to allegations contained in the released files.

Personal Life

Ted Lieu resides in Torrance, California, with his family. He and his wife have two children. Lieu's residence in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County is within the congressional district he represents.

As a naturalized U.S. citizen who emigrated from Taiwan as a young child, Lieu has spoken publicly about his immigrant background and its influence on his worldview. He has been involved in the Asian American community throughout his career, both in California state politics and at the federal level.

Lieu's military career ran concurrently with much of his political career. He continued his service in the Air Force Reserve while serving in the California State Legislature and subsequently in Congress, ultimately retiring from the reserves in 2021 at the rank of colonel after more than 25 years of military service.

Recognition

Lieu's career has included several firsts and notable distinctions. As a Taiwanese American and naturalized citizen, his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 was noted in both American and Taiwanese media as a significant milestone for the Taiwanese American community. His candidacy for California Attorney General in 2010 was also noted as a potential first for Asian Americans in that office.

His rise within the House Democratic leadership — first as assistant whip, then as Co-Chair of the Policy and Communications Committee, and subsequently as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus — has made him one of the most senior Asian American members of the Democratic Party's congressional leadership.

Lieu's combined career spanning military service, state legislative office, and federal office has been cited as an example of the contributions of immigrants and naturalized citizens to American public life. His service as a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, concurrent with his work in elected office, has also been noted as unusual among members of Congress.