Ted Win Ping Lieu is an American lawyer and politician who has served in the U.S. House since 2015 and has represented California's 36th Congressional District since 2023, after representing the 33rd District from 2015 to 2023. His district includes the South Bay and Westside regions of Los Angeles, including communities such as Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the Beach Cities.
Born March 29, 1969, in Taipei, Taiwan, Lieu immigrated to the United States as a child and was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned two degrees from Stanford University and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as editor in chief of the Georgetown Law Journal.
Lieu served on active duty in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps and later in the Air Force Reserve, ultimately attaining the rank of colonel. Before entering Congress, he served on the Torrance City Council and in the California State Legislature, building a record that blended consumer protection, veterans' advocacy, and public safety legislation.
In Congress, Lieu is known for aggressive oversight messaging, technology and privacy work, and a progressive agenda on climate change, reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, and civil rights. He has served in House Democratic leadership roles and has been Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023, while also operating as a high visibility communicator pushing back on disinformation and authoritarian rhetoric.
Progressive
Committee Assignments
Caucus Memberships
Achievements
- Rose from local government (Torrance City Council) to the California Assembly and State Senate before entering Congress in 2015.
- Served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps and later in the Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of colonel.
- Prominent national voice on technology, ethics, and democracy issues, with high visibility public communication and oversight messaging.
- Advanced a progressive agenda on climate action, civil rights, and reproductive freedom while maintaining a national security portfolio through committee work.
- Elevated into House Democratic leadership as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus beginning in 2023.
Controversies
- Frequently criticized by conservatives for sharp, confrontational messaging and aggressive social media style.
- Targeted as a symbol of progressive California politics in national partisan campaigns.
- Past scrutiny over campaign donations made to Stanford University and the optics of those contributions.
- Some activists argue he is insufficiently aggressive on reducing defense spending despite generally dovish positioning.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $44,987 | $34,987 | $10,000 |
| Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy | $26,450 | $26,450 | $0 |
| Seville Classics | $26,400 | $26,400 | $0 |
| Google Inc | $19,445 | $15,445 | $4,000 |
| Stanford University | $17,050 | $17,050 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individuals or PACs affiliated with those organizations.