An Oregon lawmaker considered a "rising star" in Democratic circles
announced Sunday that he will resign from the legislature following
accusations from multiple women that he created a hostile workplace.
State representative Diego Hernandez, a Portland Democrat, made the
announcement days before a vote that would have made him the first
Oregon legislator expelled by his colleagues. A bipartisan 4-0
committee voted to recommend his expulsion from the legislature
earlier this month over accusations that he sexually harassed three
women who work in the Capitol.
The Oregon legislature has never expelled a member before, but the
18 allegations against Hernandez, including that he threatened to
undermine the careers of two women if they did not enter into
relationships with him, were likely viewed as sufficient to remove
the recently reelected Democrat.