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As Hernandez Hearings Conclude, Enormous Pressure Builds for His Departure From House Gov. Kate Brown, Senate President Peter Courtney and 26 House Democrats call on the Portland lawmaker to resign. Rep. Diego Hernandez. (Sam Gehrke) Updated February 5 After the Oregon House Conduct Committee completed a week s worth of hearings into sexual harassment allegations against state Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland), calls for his resignation or expulsion from the House intensified today. Following testimony from five women who said Hernandez used his position in the Legislature improperly in relationships with them, the four-member Conduct Committee voted unanimously to sustain 18 findings of violations of House Rule 27, which pertains to sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace.
Bryan M. Vance
Originally published on February 7, 2021 10:05 am
Members of the House Conduct Committee are seeking the expulsion of Rep. Diego Hernandez, D-Portland, once a rising star within his party, after they determined he created a hostile workplace at the state Capitol.
The four-panel conduct committee voted unanimously to expel Hernandez, a move that has rarely if ever been taken before in Oregon’s history. The resolution will now go to the full House for a vote, where it will require 40 members or two-thirds of the 60-member body to approve.
“I hate this decision right now,” said Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland. “But I think the opportunity for change, for ownership, for responsibility has passed. That doesn’t mean reconciliation can’t happen in the future. But what I don’t want to happen is we OK a behavior that has damaged people.”
Despite increasing pressure on Rep. Diego Hernandez to resign amid allegations he harassed women, the Democratic lawmaker is fighting back. A nine-month