Travis Nelson

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]

Travis Nelson
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 44th district
Assumed office
February 1, 2022
Preceded byTina Kotek
Personal details
BornLouisiana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationColumbia Basin Community College (ASN)
Washington State University (BSN)

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]

Electoral history

2022
2022 Oregon House of Representatives 44th district election[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Travis Nelson (incumbent) 26,429 87.65
Republican Rolf Schuler 3,444 11.42
Constitution Morgan Hinthorne 232 0.77
Write-in 47 0.16
Total votes 30,152 100.0
2022 Oregon House of Representatives 44th district Democratic primary [9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Travis Nelson (incumbent) 10,271 91.35
Democratic Eric Delehoy 948 8.43
Democratic Write-in 25 0.22
Total votes 11,244 100.0


References
  1. "First openly LGBTQ+, Black man sworn into OR Legislature". KOIN.com. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  2. "DPO Officers". Democratic Party of Oregon. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  3. "Q&A: Rep. Travis Nelson Is Oregon's Newest Lawmaker". The Lund Report. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  4. "Board appoints Travis Nelson to fill vacant House District 44 seat". Multnomah County. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  5. "Travis Nelson Sworn in to Oregon House of Representatives". The Skanner News. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  6. "Rep. Travis Nelson Proposes $33 Million Go Toward Building North Portland Aquatic Center".
  7. "Legislators Want To Strengthen Oregon Laws in Post-Roe v. Wade Era". The Lund Report. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  8. "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  9. "May 17, 2022, Primary Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. p. 37. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
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