Tawna Sanchez
American politician from Oregon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tawna Dee Sanchez (born August 23, 1961) is an American politician, currently serving as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives. She represents the 43rd district, which covers parts of north-central Portland.
.jpg){kind=spacer}
August 23, 1961
Tawna Sanchez | |
|---|---|
Sanchez in 2024 | |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 43rd district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Lew Frederick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tawna Dee Sanchez August 23, 1961 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Marylhurst University (BA) Portland State University (MA) |
| Signature |  |
Early life and education
Sanchez was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Sanchez is of Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, and Carrizo descent and was the second person of Native American descent elected to serve in the Oregon legislature (following Jackie Taylor) and the first to represent Portland.[1]
Sanchez graduated with a bachelor's degree from Marylhurst University and with a master's degree from Portland State University.
Career
She has worked with the Native American Youth and Family Center for much of her life.[2][3]
Sanchez has served on the Oregon Child Welfare Advisory Commission and the Oregon Family Services Review Commission.[2]
She won election to the House in 2016, narrowly defeating Roberta Phillip-Robbins in the Democratic primary and running unopposed in the general election.[4][5][6][7]
As of 2023 Sanchez is the co-chair of the Oregon legislature's joint Ways and Means committee, along with Senator Elizabeth Steiner.[8]
Electoral history
2016
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tawna Sanchez | 31,052 | 98.5 | |
| Write-in | 457 | 1.5 | ||
| Total votes | 31,509 | 100% | ||
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tawna Sanchez | 31,885 | 98.7 | |
| Write-in | 425 | 1.3 | ||
| Total votes | 32,310 | 100% | ||
2020
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tawna Sanchez | 39,274 | 98.8 | |
| Write-in | 479 | 1.2 | ||
| Total votes | 39,753 | 100% | ||
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tawna Sanchez (incumbent) | 13,247 | 99.34 | |
| Democratic | Write-in | 88 | 0.66 | |
| Total votes | 13,335 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tawna Sanchez (incumbent) | 33,466 | 91.80 | |
| Republican | Tim LeMaster | 2,943 | 8.07 | |
| Write-in | 48 | 0.13 | ||
| Total votes | 36,457 | 100.0 | ||
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tawna Sanchez (incumbent) | 37,084 | 92.1 | |
| Republican | Tim LeMaster | 3,078 | 7.6 | |
| Write-in | 97 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 40,259 | 100% | ||