Oregon State Representative Annessa Hartman, a Democrat representing Gladstone, announced her diagnosis of Stage 3 cervical cancer on November 14, 2023. The announcement came shortly after a gathering of lawmakers to honor her friend and fellow Portland-area representative, Hòa Nguyễn, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 41 in October.
Hartman, 37, expressed her commitment to continue her legislative responsibilities while undergoing treatment. Her planned course of action includes targeted radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, which she will receive at Oregon Health & Science University starting in early December. Despite her diagnosis, Hartman intends to finish her term in the Oregon House, which is set to conclude in January 2027, and to pursue an open seat on the Clackamas County Commission.
In a statement, Hartman emphasized her dedication to public service, stating, “Public service is not something I do only in moments of ease. It’s something I believe in wholeheartedly, especially now.” She noted that her diagnosis has reinforced her sense of purpose and commitment to fostering a community grounded in compassion and accountability.
Hartman also chose to disclose her diagnosis publicly, citing her belief in transparency. She encouraged Oregonians to prioritize their health and seek cancer screenings. “Life is fragile, terrifyingly fragile but it is also unbelievably beautiful when you allow yourself to live inside it instead of rushing past it,” she remarked. “While this is not the journey I expected at 37, I am choosing to move forward with grace, courage, and an appreciation for life I didn’t know was possible.”
As a member of the Haudenosaunee and Cayuga Nation, Hartman is only the third Indigenous person elected to the Oregon House. Throughout her time in the Legislature, she has championed various initiatives, including efforts to rename offensively titled locations and to ensure tribal representation in planning for the country’s 250th anniversary.
Additionally, Hartman has collaborated with Salem Republican Rep. Kevin Mannix to pass legislation allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse unlimited time to file lawsuits against their abusers. Notably, she was the sole Democrat to oppose a recent plan aiming to raise $4.3 billion for transportation through increased taxes and fees.
Hartman’s diagnosis marks her as the fourth Oregon legislator to announce a cancer diagnosis in 2023. Following the death of Hòa Nguyễn, Senator Aaron Woods, a Democrat from Wilsonville, passed away from cancer at age 75 in April. Additionally, freshman Representative Sarah Finger McDonald from Corvallis has been balancing her legislative duties with chemotherapy for colon cancer.
As Hartman embarks on this challenging journey, her resilience and commitment to her constituents remain a beacon of inspiration.
