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Diego Hernandez
Diego Hernandez (Democratic Party) was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 47. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on March 15, 2021.
Hernandez (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Oregon House of Representatives to represent District 47. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Hernandez also served on the Reynolds School District School Board, representing Position 2 from 2013 to 2021. He resigned from the school board and state House on March 10 and 15, 2021, respectively.[1][2][3] To learn more about the events leading up to his resignation, click here.
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Hernandez was assigned to the following committees:
- House Education Committee
- Revenue Committee
- Tax Expenditures Committee
- Student Success Committee
- Joint Legislative Audits Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Oregon committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Education, Vice chair |
| • Revenue |
| • Joint Tax Credits |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
See also: Oregon House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Diego Hernandez defeated Ryan Gardner and Ashton Simpson in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 47 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Diego Hernandez (D) | 49.3 | 13,631 |
 | Ryan Gardner (R)  | 31.4 | 8,677 | |
 | Ashton Simpson (Working Families Party) | 19.0 | 5,264 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 64 | ||
| Total votes: 27,636 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Diego Hernandez advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 47 on May 19, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diego Hernandez | 97.5 | 6,081 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.5 | 154 | ||
| Total votes: 6,235 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 47
Ryan Gardner advanced from the Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 47 on May 19, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ryan Gardner | 98.3 | 1,951 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.7 | 33 | ||
| Total votes: 1,984 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
In addition to running as a Democratic Party candidate, Hernandez cross-filed to also run as a Working Families Party candidate and as an independent write-in candidate in 2018.[4]
General election
General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Diego Hernandez won election in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 47 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diego Hernandez (D) | 96.0 | 14,741 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.0 | 618 | ||
| Total votes: 15,359 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Diego Hernandez advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 47 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diego Hernandez | 100.0 | 4,031 |
| Total votes: 4,031 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
Five seats on the Reynolds School District school board in Oregon were up for at-large general election on May 16, 2017. Position 1 incumbent Valerie Tewksbury defeated challenger challenger Sara Gonzalez in her re-election bid. In the race for Position 2, incumbent Diego Hernandez defeated challenger Matt Craven. Position 3 incumbent John Lindenthal and Position 4 incumbent Joe Teeny both won re-election after running unopposed. In Position 7, newcomer Ricardo Ruiz defeated incumbent Stevie Chao and challenger Richard Brown to win the seat.[5]
Members of the Reynolds school board are elected at large to four-year terms. While elected at large, each seat on the board has a position number associated with it, and candidates apply to run for a specific position number.
Results
| Reynolds School District, Position 2 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Diego Hernandez Incumbent |
60.13% | 3,492 |
| Matt Craven | 39.26% | 2,280 |
| Write-in votes | 0.6% | 35 |
| Total Votes | 5,807 | |
| Source: Multnomah County, "Multnomah County Election Results May 16, 2017 Special District Election," accessed June 12, 2017 | ||
Funding
The filing deadline in Oregon for a campaign transaction is typically no later than 30 calendar days. However, beginning on the 42nd day before an election day and through the date of the election, a transaction is due no later than seven calendar days after the date it occurred. The dates for the beginning and ending of the seven-day reporting period for the 2017 Oregon school board elections were:[6]
- April 4, 2017 (Seven day campaign finance reporting begins)
- May 16, 2017 (Seven day campaign finance reporting ends)
A school board candidate in Oregon must form a candidate committee unless he or she meets all of the following conditions:[7][8]
- The candidate elects to serve as his or her own treasurer.
- The candidate does not have an existing candidate committee.
- The candidate does not expect to receive or spend more than $750 during a calendar year (including personal funds).
A candidate committee must file a Statement of Organization with the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State within three business days of first receiving or spending money. A form including campaign account information must accompany the Statement of Organization.[7][9]
Candidate committees that expect to receive or spend $3,500 or more in a calendar year are required to report all transactions. A committee that does not expect to receive or spend this much is still required to file a Statement of Organization and designate a campaign bank account, but does not have to file transactions. Instead, they must file a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures.[7][10]
Endorsements
Hernandez was endorsed by Planned Parenthood.[11]
2016
Elections for the Oregon House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2016. Incumbent Jessica Vega Pederson (D) did not seek re-election.
Diego Hernandez defeated Michael Langley in the Oregon House of Representatives District 47 general election.[12][13]
| Oregon House of Representatives, District 47 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Diego Hernandez |
67.09% | 14,323 | |
| Independent | Michael Langley | 32.91% | 7,025 | |
| Total Votes | 21,348 | |||
| Source: Oregon Secretary of State | ||||
Diego Hernandez defeated Gloria Ngezaho in the Oregon House of Representatives District 47 Democratic primary.[14][15]
| Oregon House of Representatives, District 47 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Diego Hernandez |
70.33% | 4,616 | |
| Democratic | Gloria Ngezaho | 29.67% | 1,947 | |
| Total Votes | 6,563 | |||
Endorsements
In 2016, Hernandez's endorsements included the following:[16]
- Oregon Nurses Association
- NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
- Oregon League of Conservation Voters
- National Association of Social Workers Oregon Chapter
- Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC
- COLOR PAC
- SEIU Local 503 & SEIU Local 49
- Oregon State Fire Fighters Council
- Portland Firefighters Association
- Oregon AFL-CIO
- Oregon AFSCME Council 75
- Working Famalies Party
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Diego Hernandez did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Hernandez's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[17]
Prioritizing Public Education
- Excerpt: "As a product of public school, a former educator and current school board member, Diego is well aware of the challenges our public schools face. Diego will work to increase resources for education to lower class sizes, close the achievement gap and invest in early childhood education programs."
Advocating for Affordable Housing
- Excerpt: "Growing up, Diego’s family moved around a lot. Economic insecurity and the high cost of housing meant his mom had to uproot his family to make ends meet. Diego will fight for stable, secure and affordable housing, so local families can afford to stay in our community."
Fighting for Working Families
- Excerpt: "Diego was raised by a single mom who worked multiple minimum wage jobs to raise him and his siblings. He believes that no one should work full time and live in poverty. Diego will fight for living wages and workplace policies that support working families."
Building Safer Communities
- Excerpt: "Diego grew up in East Portland and knows the inequities East Portland faces, especially when it comes to our roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure. Diego will advocate for a transportation package that helps people get to work, provides safe routes to school for students, and improves the safety of our communities."
Jobs and Small Businesses
- Excerpt: "As the son of a small business owner, Diego understands the challenges facing our economy. Diego will champion efforts to support small businesses to grow and bring more jobs to our community."
Noteworthy events
Resigned before House vote on expulsion for alleged sexual harassment (2021)
On May 4, 2020, the interim House Conduct Committee in the Oregon House of Representatives opened an investigation after seven individuals accused Hernandez of verbal and physical sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace environment. The committee implemented restrictions for Hernandez pending the investigation, which included requirements that Hernandez provide 24 hours advance notice before going to the capitol building and refrain from interacting with the individuals who filed the allegations.[18]
Hernandez did not participate in the investigatory hearing and issued the following statement in response: "I have no idea what the concerns raised are or by whom. I do know that there has been an organized campaign against me recently to get me out of the office I was duly elected to and I was threatened this would happen if I didn't resign. Due process matters, I ask that people withhold judgment until the investigation is complete."[19]
On May 11, Hernandez filed a tort claim against the Oregon state legislature, citing damages related to the following: "abuse of process, discrimination (gender and national origin/race) under state and federal law, aiding and abetting discrimination, bullying/mobbing, whistleblowing retaliation (ORS 659A.199, ORS 659A.203, ORS659A.206), intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional interference with a prospective economic relationship, defamation, violation of due process under state and federal law, and other potential claims."[20]
After a nine-month investigation, the committee voted 4-0 to recommend expulsion to the House. Hernandez filed a lawsuit to halt further movement on the measure, but United States District Judge Ann Aiken denied judicial interference.[21] Hernandez announced his resignation—effective March 15, 2021—the following day.[22][23][24]
“Today I tendered my resignation so my colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians and so I can move forward with my life and focus on my health and family," he wrote in a statement to Oregon Public Broadcasting.[22]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Oregon scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2021
In 2021, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from January 21 to June 26.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to the environment.
- Legislators are scored on their stances related to taxes, economic development, housing, environmental regulations, and business.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from February 3 to March 5. Special sessions were convened from June 24 to June 26 and on August 10.
|
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2019, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from January 22 through June 30.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2018, the 79th Oregon State Legislature, second session, was in session from February 5 through March 3. There was also a one-day special session on May 21, 2018.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2017, the 79th Oregon State Legislature, first session, was in session from February 1 through July 7. There was also an organizational session January 9.
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See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Hill, "Democrat resigns from Oregon legislature before expulsion vote following harassment allegations," February 22, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Rep. Diego Hernandez’s resignation effective March 15," February 22, 2021
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Rep. Diego Hernandez resigns from Reynolds school board," March 13, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search Results: 2018 General Election," accessed October 30, 2018
- ↑ Multnomah County, "Multnomah County Election Results May 16, 2017 Special District Election," accessed May 17, 2017
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Oregon Elections Calendar," accessed April 17, 2017
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Oregon Secretary of State, "Campaign Finance Manual - 2014," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Revised Statutes, "Chapter 260, Section 043," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Revised Statutes, "Chapter 260, Section 039," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Revised Statutes, "Chapter 260, Section 057," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Planned Parenthood, "Endorsements," accessed May 15, 2017
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election official results," accessed December 21, 2016
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed March 9, 2016
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Abstract of Votes President," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ diego4oregon.com, "Endorsements," accessed April 27, 2016
- ↑ diego4oregon.com, "Issues," accessed April 27, 2016
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Oregon lawmaker Diego Hernandez faces multiple accusations of sexual harassment, call to resign," May 4, 2020
- ↑ KGW 8, "7 people accuse Oregon lawmaker of sexual harassment, creating hostile work environment," May 4, 2020
- ↑ KOIN, "Rep. Hernandez accuses Speaker Kotek of ‘abuse of power’," May 11, 2020
- ↑ Willamette Week, "Rep. Diego Hernandez Files a Lawsuit Seeking to Block His Expulsion Next Week," February 12, 2021
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 The Hill, "Democrat resigns from Oregon legislature before expulsion vote following harassment allegations," February 22, 2021
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Rep. Diego Hernandez faces House vote to expel him," February 5, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Rep. Diego Hernandez’s resignation effective March 15," February 22, 2021
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jessica Vega Pederson (D) |
Oregon House of Representatives - District 47 2017–2021 |
Succeeded by NA |
