Tawna Dee Sanchez is a Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 43 in North and Northeast Portland. Of Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, and Carrizo descent, she is the second Native American elected to the Oregon Legislature and the first to represent Portland; she was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and has fostered 18 children. Sanchez co-founded the Native American Youth and Family Center, where she serves as Director of Family Services, focusing on culturally appropriate services, domestic violence prevention, child welfare, and community programs like early education, housing, and elder care. Notable achievements include co-chairing the Joint Ways and Means Committee, Joint Legislative Audits Committee, and Joint Emergency Board; she has received awards such as the Samuel C. Wheeler Freedom Award , Recovery Leadership Award , and Behavioral Health Champion Spotlight Award .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Arts from Marylhurst University; Master of Arts from Portland State University.
• Early Career: Worked as a domestic violence advocate at Bradley Angle House; founded a nationally recognized Native American domestic violence intervention program; served on the Oregon Child Welfare Advisory Commission, Oregon Family Services Review Commission, and Oregon Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisory Board.
• Political Experience: Elected in 2016 after winning the Democratic primary and running unopposed in the general; assumed office January 9, 2017, succeeding Lew Frederick; incumbent as of recent records, with strong reelection support .