Israel Ortega serves as The Heritage Foundation's chief spokesman to Spanish-language news media, including print, radio, television and online. And as editor of Heritage’s sister website, Libertad (libertad.org), Ortega is responsible both for the content and for marketing it to a variety of audiences, including media, coalitions and legislators. Ortega regularly contributes commentary to prominent Spanish-language newspapers and online publications. He is a frequent guest commentator on major Spanish radio and television outlets, including Univision, Telemundo and CNN International, discussing Heritage's research and analysis across a range of policy fronts. He has appeared on Fox News Channel and Fox Business Channel discussing policy issues, particularly as they relate to Hispanics in the United States. Ortega writes a monthly column for El Diario La Prensa, the largest and oldest Spanish-language publication in New York City. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal as well as digital venues such as National Review Online, Real Clear Politics, the Daily Caller, the Huffington Post and Fox News Latino. Before joining Heritage in January 2007, he was a Capitol Hill staffer for five years -- including a stint as a legislative aide to Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), who became ranking member of the House International Relations Committee. He also worked as a press aide to Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Republican Conference and fourth-ranking Republican in the 108th and 109th Congresses. Ortega received his bachelor's degree in government in 2002 from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. He and his wife reside in Alexandria, Va., where they are active members of Gracia y Paz, sister congregation of Alexandria Presbyterian Church. In 2011, they became the parents of a baby girl.

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