By COLIN STAUB
Travis Nelson, a union representative and Oregon Nurses Association vice president, is Oregon’s newest lawmaker, representing North Portland’s House District 44. In a unanimous Jan. 27 vote, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners appointed him to serve the remainder of former Rep. Tina Kotek’s term, which runs through the end of this year. Kotek announced in early January that she’d vacate her seat as she ramps up a gubernatorial campaign.
Democratic Party precinct committee persons (PCPs) presented four candidates to fill the vacancy to the county commission. Nelson received 23 of the PCP votes, and the next closest candidate, Eric Delehoy, received 10. Both Nelson and Delehoy are running in the Democratic primary this May.
Nelson has strong ties to local labor, and introduced himself to the commissioners as a “proud union nurse.” Originally from Chatham, Louisiana, he moved to the Portland area in 2005 and began a career in nursing. While working as an ER nurse at PeaceHealth SW in Vancouver, he attended a union meeting of the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) and was recruited to be on the contract bargaining team. He later became the first Black co-chair of his local. For the past nine years, Nelson has worked as a union representative for WSNA. He is also involved in a leadership role at ONA and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, the Urban League of Portland, and other local groups.
“Your experience as a nurse, as a labor organizer, and as an advocate for health care, health workers and all essential workers is experience we need in the legislature,” Commissioner Susheela Jayapal said before voting.
Nelson took office immediately, just days before the 2022 legislative session kicked off. During the commission hearing, he referenced farm worker overtime pay and workforce investments as key labor topics lawmakers will consider in this month’s session.
