Oregon lawmaker Hòa Nguyễn passes after fight against cancer; colleagues mourn loss, recount her service and advocacy
(adding new statement from Emerson Levy & video)
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Portland-area state Representative Hòa Nguyễn passed away Thursday morning, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous fight against cancer, her fellow lawmakers announced.
Her close friend and fellow lawmaker, Representative Emerson Levy, shared a heartfelt statement with KTVZ on Saturday:
“Representative Nguyễn was a champion for kids. She created a walking school bus over a decade ago to help kiddos get to school — and it worked! She carried that creative spirit to the legislature. One of our last conversations was about our students and what they needed to succeed. Oregon has lost a daughter, a bright light, and I have lost a dear friend. I will miss her deeply.”
Here are other statements issued by Democratic and Republican lawmakers on her passing:
House Democrats Mourn the Loss of Rep. Hòa Nguyễn
The Representative was a fierce advocate for her community and students across the state
A Life of Service, Rooted in Community
Rep. Nguyễn’s story is one of resilience, service, and hope. She was the eldest daughter of Vietnamese refugees who resettled in Louisiana, where her father owned a small convenience store. Growing up, she remembered working the front counter after school, an early lesson in family, hard work, and community connection.
At the age of 16, she moved to Oregon to enroll at St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic school for girls. She later earned her degree in sociology at Portland State University, where she became deeply committed to equity and justice. She soon began serving on the board of API Forward, dedicated to developing and empowering Asian and Pacific Islander leaders.
Her professional life reflected her passion for young people and families. She worked at Robert Gray Middle School in Portland, where she helped create the Walking School Bus program to ensure students had a safe and welcoming way to get to class each day. She served on the David Douglas School Board, advocating for student success and equitable resources, and she worked with the Clackamas Education Service District to strengthen Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) partnerships that connected families to vital community support.
Legislative Leadership & Accomplishments
Since being sworn in to the Oregon House of Representatives, Hòa Nguyễn represented House District 48, stretching from East Portland to Damascus, with extraordinary dedication. She carried the values she learned in classrooms, community centers, and her own family directly into her legislative service.
Her notable accomplishments include:
- HB 3144 (2023) and HB 3014 (2023) – expanding supports for early childhood care and education
- SB 756A (2023) - Adding Classified Staff to IEPs
- HB 3383 (2023) - Classified Staff on Education Advisory Boards
- The CHIPS Child Care Act (2024) and her leadership in the Child Care Alliance (2024) and the Child Care Caucus (2025), advancing access, affordability, and quality of child care.
- Service on the Chronic Absenteeism Workgroup (2024) to address systemic barriers to school attendance.
- HB 3199 (2025) and HB 3218 (2025) – policies that came out of the Chronic Absenteeism workgroup tackling Regular Attendance.
- Securing $5 million for the Happy Valley Community Center (2025) and support for the Boring Community Center (2023), providing lasting infrastructure investments for her district.
A Legacy to Carry Forward
Rep. Nguyễn asked that this chapter of her life be remembered through the work of making Oregon a just, equitable, and compassionate place. She wanted Oregon to continue building on the work she began, making child care affordable, strengthening schools, expanding community infrastructure, and ensuring every child and every family feels seen.
Her journey, from a convenience store counter in Louisiana, to Portland classrooms and community centers, to the Oregon State Capitol, tells the story of possibility. She has inspired countless Oregonians, and her legacy will live on in the children, families, and communities she fought for.
Information about how Rep. Nguyễn’s remarkable life will be honored will be shared when it becomes available.
House Republicans Mourn the Passing of Rep. Hòa Nguyễn
SALEM, Ore. — Today, House Republicans are grieving the loss of Representative Hòa Nguyễn, who passed away this morning after a battle with cancer.
“I am saddened by the passing of Hoa. Her deep commitment to Oregon’s children and families was evident in everything she did,” said House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville). “It was an honor to serve with her and share in the work of strengthening early childhood care and education.”
“I was honored to serve alongside Representative Hòa Nguyễn as vice chairs of the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services. Her passion for people was always foremost in her decision making,” said Representative Anna Scharf (R-Amity). “I will forever be grateful for the time we got to serve together and the conversations we had. Even though we didn't always agree, we respected each other, and it made our relationship very special. Rest in peace, my friend. Until we meet again.”
“We bonded over our love of weightlifting but more importantly, over wanting what was good for Oregon and finding a way to work across the aisle with friendship,” said Representative Bobby Levy (R-Echo). “I was lucky enough to also share my faith with her as we became friends and as her illness progressed, we prayed together often. I will miss her laugh and the way she was always so upbeat the most.”
Senate Republicans Mourn the Passing of Representative Hòa Nguyễn
SALEM, Ore. – The Senate Republican Caucus joins in mourning the loss of Representative Hòa Nguyễn, who passed away this morning after a courageous battle with cancer.
“We are all deeply saddened to learn of Representative Nguyễn’s passing,” said Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee). “She faced her battle with cancer with grace, strength, and an unwavering dedication to the people she served. Her kindness and commitment to making a difference will be remembered by everyone who had the privilege of working with her. Our prayers are with her loved ones, colleagues, and all whose lives she touched throughout her public service.”
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Rep. Emerson Levy remembers colleague Nguyễn as “a bright light” after her passing
The Oregon political community is remembering Representative Hòa Nguyễn, who lost her battle with cancer this week.
Nguyễn joined the state legislature in 2023, becoming one of five Vietnamese Americans elected to the Oregon House. She represented House District 48, which stretches from East Portland to Damascus.
Her close friend and fellow lawmaker, Representative Emerson Levy, shared a heartfelt statement with KTVZ:
“Representative Nguyễn was a champion for kids. She created a walking school bus over a decade ago to help kiddos get to school — and it worked! She carried that creative spirit to the legislature. One of our last conversations was about our students and what they needed to succeed. Oregon has lost a daughter, a bright light, and I have lost a dear friend. I will miss her deeply.”
