Travis Nelson (politician)
Travis Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 44th district | |
| Assumed office February 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Tina Kotek |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Columbia Basin Community College (ASN) Washington State University (BSN) |
Travis Nelson is an American politician and nurse serving as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 44th district. He assumed office on February 1, 2022. He is the first openly LGBTQ+ man of color and the first openly LGBTQ+ African American to ever serve in the Oregon Legislature.[1]
Early life and education
Nelson was born in poverty to teenage parents in Louisiana and moved to Kennewick, Washington as a child. He earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from Columbia Basin Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington State University.[2]
Career
Travis Nelson started his career as a nurse for PeaceHealth in the Portland, Oregon area, specializing in medical, surgical, cardiac, rehabilitation and emergency nursing. Nelson is currently a union representative and the vice president of the Oregon Nurses Association.[3] Nelson was appointed to the Oregon House of Representatives in February 2022 by members of the Multnomah County Commission, succeeding Tina Kotek.[4][5]
In his first legislative session, he secured $15 million for a new aquatic complex in North Portland.[6]in 2022, he was appointed to serve on the state Reproductive Health and Access to Care Work Group in anticipation of the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade. This workgroup was charged with ensuring that Oregon closed gaps in reproductive health rights.[7]
References
- ^ "First openly LGBTQ+, Black man sworn into OR Legislature". KOIN.com. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
- ^ "DPO Officers". Democratic Party of Oregon. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- ^ "Q&A: Rep. Travis Nelson Is Oregon's Newest Lawmaker". The Lund Report. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- ^ "Board appoints Travis Nelson to fill vacant House District 44 seat". Multnomah County. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- ^ News, The Skanner. "Travis Nelson Sworn in to Oregon House of Representatives". The Skanner News. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Rep. Travis Nelson Proposes $33 Million Go Toward Building North Portland Aquatic Center".
- ^ "Legislators Want To Strengthen Oregon Laws in Post-Roe v. Wade Era". The Lund Report. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2022-08-18.