Diego Hernandez (politician)

Diego Hernandez (born 1986/87) is an American Democratic politician who served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021. He represented the 47th district, which covers parts of east Portland.

Diego Hernandez
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 47th district
In office
January 9, 2017 – March 15, 2021
Preceded byJessica Vega Pederson
Succeeded byAndrea Valderrama
Member of the Reynolds School District Board
Assumed office
2013
Personal details
Born1986 or 1987 (age 36–37)
Oregon
Political partyDemocratic
ResidencePortland, Oregon
Alma materUniversity of Oregon
Portland State University

Biography

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Hernandez graduated from Reynolds High School in Troutdale, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon and with a master's degree from Portland State University. He became a teacher and was elected to the Reynolds School District Board in 2012, becoming its first Hispanic member, on which he still serves despite being elected to the House.[1] Hernandez was appointed to the Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs in 2014.[2][3]

Hernandez was elected to the House in 2016 to succeed the retiring Jessica Vega Pederson, defeating Independent Party of Oregon candidate Michael Langley with 67% of the vote.[4][5][6]

In 2020 Hernandez was accused of sexual harassment by seven women, prompting calls for his resignation from then House Speaker Tina Kotek and other Democrats.[7] On May 4, 2020 the interim House Conduct Committee required Hernandez to provide 24-hours’ notice before entering the Capitol and ordered no contact with his accusers.[7] Facing the possibility of being the first legislator ever expelled from the Oregon House, Hernandez announced his resignation on February 22, 2021,[8] which took effect on March 15, 2021.[9]

Personal life

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Hernandez, who was 29 at the time of election, was the youngest person serving in the Oregon legislature. He is unmarried. He is now using the alias "Juan Hernandez".[2]

Electoral history

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2016 Oregon State Representative, 47th district [10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diego Hernandez 14,323 66.9
Independent Michael P Langley 7,025 32.8
Write-in 58 0.3
Total votes 21,406 100%
2018 Oregon State Representative, 47th district [11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diego Hernandez 14,741 96.0
Write-in 618 4.0
Total votes 15,359 100%
2020 Oregon State Representative, 47th district [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diego Hernandez 13,631 49.3
Republican Ryan Gardner 8,677 31.4
Working Families Ashton Simpson 5,264 19.0
Write-in 64 0.2
Total votes 27,636 100%

References

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  1. ^ Carson, Teresa (January 9, 2017). "Class is never over for schoolboard members". The Outlook. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Diego Hernandez's Biography". Project VoteSmart. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  3. ^ "State Representative Diego Hernandez". Democratic Party of Oregon. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  4. ^ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Davidson, Kate (January 9, 2017). "Then The Ladder Slipped: Oregon State Rep. Diego Hernandez". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  6. ^ Martin, Tarra (November 30, 2016). "Portland's Diego Hernandez Has Stood With Standing Rock, and Says the "Water Protectors" Aren't Going Anywhere". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Jayati Ramakrishnan (May 4, 2020). "Oregon lawmaker Diego Hernandez faces multiple accusations of sexual harassment, call to resign". OregonLive. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Andrew Theen | The Oregonian/OregonLive (2021-02-22). "Rep. Diego Hernandez, facing expulsion vote, resigns from Oregon Legislature: report". oregonlive. Archived from the original on 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  9. ^ "4 candidates in the running to fill Rep. Diego Hernandez's seat". opb. Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  10. ^ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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