Oregon Rep. Annessa Hartman Announces Stage 3 Cancer Diagnosis

Oregon State Representative Annessa Hartman of Gladstone disclosed on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer. The announcement coincided with a poignant moment for her colleagues, as just a day prior, lawmakers gathered to honor her friend, Representative Hòa Nguyễn, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 41 in October.

At 37, Hartman is part of a younger, more diverse cohort of lawmakers who won competitive districts in the 2022 elections. She plans to begin treatment, which will include targeted radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, at Oregon Health & Science University starting the first week of December. Despite her diagnosis, Hartman affirmed her commitment to serving in the state House until her term concludes in January 2027. She is also actively campaigning for an open seat on the Clackamas County Commission.

In a statement, Hartman emphasized her dedication to public service: “Public service is not something I do only in moments of ease. It’s 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.”

Hartman has decided to share her journey publicly, citing her belief in transparency and the importance of prioritizing health. She urged Oregonians to undergo regular cancer screenings, stating, “Life is fragile, terrifyingly fragile but it is also unbelievably beautiful when you allow yourself to live inside it instead of rushing past it.”

A member of the Haudenosaunee, Cayuga Nation, and Snipe Clan, Hartman is only the third Indigenous person to be elected to the Oregon House. Throughout her tenure, she has championed various initiatives aimed at renaming locations with offensive titles and ensuring tribal representation in the state’s plans for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

Notably, Hartman partnered with Republican Representative Kevin Mannix to pass legislation allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse unlimited time to file lawsuits against their abusers. She was also the sole Democrat opposing a proposal to raise $4.3 billion for transportation through increased taxes and fees.

Hartman is the fourth Oregon legislator to reveal a cancer diagnosis this year. Along with Nguyễn, Senator Aaron Woods, a Democrat from Wilsonville, passed away from cancer in April at the age of 75. Additionally, freshman Representative Sarah Finger McDonald from Corvallis has been balancing her legislative duties while undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer.

As Hartman embarks on this challenging journey, her commitment to public service and advocacy remains steadfast, highlighting her resilience and dedication to her community.