Oregon Rep. Annessa Hartman Reveals Stage 3 Cancer Diagnosis

Oregon State Representative Annessa Hartman, a member of the Democratic Party representing Gladstone, disclosed on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer. Hartman’s announcement followed a somber gathering of lawmakers who honored her late colleague, Hòa Nguyễn, a fellow Democratic representative from Portland, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 41 in October.

Hartman, who is 37 years old, emphasized her commitment to both her role in the state legislature and her ongoing campaign for an open seat on the Clackamas County Commission. She plans to begin treatment at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, which will include targeted radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, starting in the first week of December.

“I am fully committed to serving my constituents and continuing my work in the legislature,” Hartman stated. “Public service is not something I do only in moments of ease. It is something I believe in wholeheartedly, especially now. This diagnosis has only strengthened my sense of purpose and my commitment to building a place where compassion, accountability, and community care guide our decisions.”

In her statement, Hartman expressed her desire for transparency regarding her health. She urged Oregonians to prioritize their health, particularly by seeking 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.”

Hartman is a member of the Haudenosaunee, Cayuga Nation, and Snipe Clan, making her the third Indigenous person ever to be elected to the Oregon House. Throughout her tenure, she has championed several initiatives, including legislation aimed at renaming locations with offensive titles and advocating for the inclusion of tribal voices in the state’s plans for celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Among her notable legislative accomplishments, Hartman collaborated with Rep. Kevin Mannix, a Republican from Salem, to enact a law granting survivors of childhood sexual abuse unlimited time to pursue legal action against their abusers. She also distinguished herself by being the only Democrat to oppose a proposal aimed at generating $4.3 billion for transportation through increased taxes and fees.

Hartman’s diagnosis marks the fourth cancer announcement from an Oregon legislator this year. Following Nguyễn, who died in October, Sen. Aaron Woods, a Democrat from Wilsonville, passed away from cancer at the age of 75 in April. Additionally, freshman Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald from Corvallis has been balancing her legislative responsibilities while undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Hartman’s resilience and determination to continue her public service during this challenging time resonate with many in her community and beyond. Her commitment to transparency and advocacy serves as a reminder of the importance of health awareness and the impact of public figures sharing their personal journeys.