It is with great sadness that the MultDems learned of the passing of Oregon State Representative Hòa Nguyễn on October 9. Nguyễn was the Democratic representative for House District 48, which includes east Portland. During her two terms in office, she was widely acclaimed for her work on education, affordable childcare, disability rights and community-building. She was 41.

Salomé Chimuku, chair of the Multnomah County Democrats, said, “Rep. Nguyễn was a one of the most compassionate legislators to serve HD 48. Her legacy will be felt for generations to come. She may not have been on this Earth long, but she made deep impacts.”

The daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Nguyễn grew up in Portland, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Portland State University and then working with school districts in Portland and David Douglas and for Clackamas County.

In 2022, Nguyễn was elected to represent HD 48, taking a seat as one of five Vietnamese Americans in the legislature. In her submission to the November 2022 MultDems Election Hub she stated, “In order to improve our education system, we need to work on improving the supporting infrastructures like housing to help our communities thrive.”

After announcing that she was receiving treatment for stage 4 cancer in February, Nguyễn returned to work in Salem in June. She demonstrated her continued commitment to education in her July constituent newsletter, urging support for disabled students entering kindergarten. 

Last fall when Nguyễn ran for reelection, Robin Ye of East County Rising endorsed her by saying, “Her perspective as a bilingual, bicultural educator and advocate for educational equity and youth empowerment has made her a powerful voice for the marginalized.”

Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement saying it was an honor to work with Nguyễn, who “dedicated her life to public education with passion and purpose.”  House Speaker Julie Fahey stated, “Rep. Nguyễn embodied the best of public service: fierce in her advocacy, compassionate in her approach and steadfast in her belief in the power of community,”

José Gamero-Georgeson, who serves on the David Douglas School Board, and who is a past HD48 District Leader, added, “She showed me what leadership can look like—what leadership should look like. She was one of the hardest working people I knew, but she still found the time to explain to me how things really were. She was honest with me, when I too often heard canned answers all around. Hoa is one of the many reasons I do what I do. She brought out the best in those around her.”