Joe Neguse

Joe Neguse
Born	Joseph D. Neguse 13 5, 1984
Birthplace	Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	First Eritrean-American elected to the United States Congress; first Black member of Congress from Colorado
Education	University of Colorado Boulder (BA, JD)
Spouse(s)	Andrea Jimenez
Children	2
Website	[[neguse.house.gov neguse.house.gov] Official site]

Joseph D. Neguse (Template:IPAc-en; born May 13, 1984) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 2nd congressional district since 2019. The district encompasses the northwestern portion of Colorado, including Fort Collins, Longmont, and Boulder, as well as numerous rural communities and mountain towns such as Walden, Granby, Steamboat Springs, and Gypsum. A member of the Democratic Party, Neguse made history upon his election in 2018 as the first Eritrean-American elected to the United States Congress and as Colorado's first Black member of Congress. Before entering Congress, Neguse served as a regent of the University of Colorado from 2008 to 2015 and as executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies under Governor John Hickenlooper. Since March 2024, he has served as House Assistant Democratic Leader, succeeding longtime congressman Jim Clyburn in the role.

Early Life

Joseph D. Neguse was born on May 13, 1984, in Bakersfield, California. His parents were Eritrean immigrants who came to the United States as refugees. The family's immigrant background shaped Neguse's upbringing and later influenced his political outlook. He grew up in Colorado, where he would eventually build his career in law and public service.

In a 2018 interview with Voice of America following his historic election, Neguse discussed how his parents' experience fleeing conflict in Eritrea informed his perspective on public policy and his commitment to public service. He expressed a desire to combat what he described as "toxicity and vitriol" in American politics.

Education

Neguse attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned both his undergraduate degree (BA) and his law degree (JD). His time at the university would prove consequential not only for his professional development but also for his early entry into public life, as he later ran for and won a seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents while still a young attorney.

Career

University of Colorado Board of Regents (2008–2015)

Neguse's first foray into elected office came in 2008 when he ran for a seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents. He won the election, becoming one of the youngest regents in the university system's history. He served in this capacity from 2008 to 2015, overseeing governance and policy at one of Colorado's largest public university systems. His tenure on the Board of Regents gave him significant experience in higher education policy and public administration, establishing him as a rising figure in Colorado Democratic politics.

Campaign for Secretary of State (2014)

In 2013, Neguse announced his candidacy for Colorado Secretary of State, seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2014 election. He formally filed his candidacy with the state, entering what became a competitive Democratic primary.

During the campaign, Neguse — who went informally by "Joe" — presented himself as a fresh voice in Colorado politics, drawing on his experience as a CU regent and attorney. Neguse secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost in the 2014 general election, part of a broader Republican sweep of statewide offices in Colorado that year. Despite the defeat, the campaign raised Neguse's statewide profile and earned him recognition within the Colorado Democratic establishment. His former rival in the secretary of state race, Wayne Williams, who won the Republican nomination and the general election, later publicly commended Neguse when he was appointed to a cabinet-level position in state government.

Executive Director of DORA (2015–2017)

In June 2015, Neguse was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper as the executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), succeeding Barbara Kelley in the role. DORA is responsible for regulating a wide range of industries and professions in Colorado, and the position gave Neguse executive-level experience in state government. He served in the position until June 2017, when he resigned to pursue a congressional campaign. He was succeeded as DORA executive director by Marguerite Salazar.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In June 2017, Neguse formally announced his candidacy for Colorado's 2nd congressional district, seeking to succeed Jared Polis, who was vacating the seat to run for governor of Colorado. The open seat attracted several candidates, and Neguse quickly emerged as a leading contender in the Democratic primary.

During the campaign, Neguse spoke about his background as the son of Eritrean refugees and outlined his policy priorities. In an interview with Westword, he discussed his vision for the district and his motivations for running. The candidates in the race met during forums and debates throughout the district.

Neguse won the Democratic primary and subsequently won the general election in November 2018, making history as the first Eritrean-American elected to the United States Congress and Colorado's first Black member of Congress. In his remarks following the election, he told Voice of America that he intended to work against the divisiveness he perceived in American politics, stating his desire to fight "toxicity and vitriol."

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–present)

Neguse took office on January 3, 2019, succeeding Jared Polis, who had been elected Governor of Colorado.

Leadership Roles

Neguse rose through the Democratic leadership ranks during his early terms in Congress. On January 3, 2021, he became Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, serving under both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and later Hakeem Jeffries when Jeffries assumed leadership of the House Democratic Caucus. He held this position until March 20, 2024, when he was succeeded by Debbie Dingell.

On March 20, 2024, Neguse was elevated to the position of House Assistant Democratic Leader, succeeding the veteran congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. In this role, he serves as a key member of the House Democratic leadership team under Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Legislative Work and District Engagement

Neguse has been active in both national policy debates and district-level engagement throughout his tenure in Congress. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee, where he has been involved in oversight hearings and legislative matters.

In December 2025, Neguse worked alongside Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and U.S. senators on the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, which provides critical funding to rural communities with significant federal lands. The reauthorization advanced to a final vote following their bipartisan push.

Neguse has maintained a sustained presence across his geographically diverse district. In late 2025, he reached a milestone of holding events in 50 cities across the district during the year, concluding with a roundtable discussion with local leaders in Timnath, Colorado. In January 2026, he announced plans to host in-person town halls in communities including Walden and other locations across the district.

Oversight and Legal Actions

In his capacity as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and as Assistant Democratic Leader, Neguse has engaged in congressional oversight activities. In February 2026, during a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi, Neguse criticized actions taken by the Department of Justice, stating: "What is happening at the Department of Justice is a disgrace."

Neguse has also led legal efforts related to congressional oversight of federal immigration detention facilities. He led a group of twelve members of the U.S. House of Representatives in filing a lawsuit against the Trump-Vance administration, alleging that the administration blocked lawful congressional oversight of immigration detention facilities. The group subsequently returned to court after the administration continued to deny access to conduct oversight.

January 6th and Impeachment

Neguse has spoken publicly about the events of January 6, 2021. During a session of Congress, he addressed objections to the 2020 Electoral College results. In January 2026, during a House Judiciary Committee session, he stated that "President Trump has engaged in a five-year effort to rewrite the history of January 6th."

Science and Research Advocacy

Neguse has advocated for scientific research institutions located in his district. In January 2026, after the National Science Foundation sent what he described as an "outrageous" letter regarding the potential dismantling of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which is headquartered in Boulder, Neguse called on Coloradans to participate in the NSF's public comment period to voice their opposition.

Personal Life

Neguse is married to Andrea Jimenez. The couple has two children. The family resides in Colorado. Neguse's parents are immigrants from Eritrea who came to the United States as refugees, a background he has frequently referenced in discussing his approach to public service and immigration policy.

Recognition

Neguse's election in 2018 was noted as historically significant on multiple levels. He became the first Eritrean-American elected to the United States Congress and the first Black member of Congress from the state of Colorado. His election attracted national and international media attention, including coverage by Voice of America, which highlighted the significance of his Eritrean heritage in the context of American electoral politics.

His rapid rise through the House Democratic leadership — from Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee in 2021 to House Assistant Democratic Leader in 2024 — placed him among the most senior Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives within his first few terms in office.

Legacy

While Neguse remains an active officeholder and his legacy continues to develop, his election in 2018 represented a milestone in both Colorado and national politics. As the first Eritrean-American in Congress and Colorado's first Black congressional representative, his service has expanded the demographic representation of the state's congressional delegation. His career trajectory — from University of Colorado regent at a young age, through a statewide campaign for secretary of state, to a cabinet-level appointment in state government, and ultimately to a leadership position in the U.S. House of Representatives — illustrates a steady ascent through multiple levels of Colorado and national politics.

His emphasis on constituent engagement, reflected in events across dozens of cities in his district, and his involvement in bipartisan legislative efforts such as the Secure Rural Schools reauthorization, have defined his approach to representing a geographically and politically diverse district that spans urban areas like Boulder and Fort Collins as well as rural mountain communities.