American businesswoman and reality television star Laura Morett is best known for her appearances on two series hit CBS show Survivor — Samoa and Blood vs Water. In 2016, she ran as the Republican Party candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives. Today, she co-owns a construction company with her husband in her hometown of Salem, Oregon.

Morett was born in 1970 and grew up on a farm in the countryside near Salem. A successful and established businesswoman by 2009, she sought a fresh challenge by auditioning for a reality show called The Amazing Race, in which two team race around the world. However, she ended up being one of the 20 contestants chosen for the 19th season of Survivor, which was set on the Samoan island of Upolu. Forming part of the Golu tribe, Morett survived for just shy of a month (losing almost a stone in weight) before becoming the ninth person to be voted out. In 2013, she returned for Survivor: Blood vs Water, in which former contestants returned to compete against their loved ones. Morett was placed on a team against her 24-year-old daughter, Ciera. She lasted 26 days before being voted out, whilst Ciera survived for 37 days. There was a moment of drama when Morett received an elimination vote from her daughter, the first and only contestant to be nominated by a loved one.

Describing herself on social media as a “right fighter”, Morett’s political interests led her to stand for the Republican Party in 2016, losing by the narrowest of margins. However, she maintained her vocal support of Republican causes throughout the Trump presidency.