Roger Hernández
| Roger Hernández | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 48th district 57th district (2010–2012) | |
|
Assumed office December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Hernandez |
| Succeeded by | Blanca Rubio |
| Mayor of West Covina, California | |
|
In office November 18, 2008 – December 1, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Sherri Lane |
| Succeeded by | Shelley Sanderson |
| West Covina City Council | |
|
In office March 18, 2003 – December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Touhey |
| Succeeded by | Karin Armbrust |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 29, 1975 El Monte, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | West Covina, California |
| Alma mater |
University of California, Riverside University of La Verne |
| Occupation | Part-time Instructor, Rio Hondo Community College |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Roger Hernandez (born July 29, 1975) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 48th district, encompassing parts of the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was the Mayor of West Covina, a member of the West Covina City Council, and Professor of Government at Rio Hondo and Citrus Community Colleges. Prior to his tenure on the City Council, Hernández was elected to the Rowland Unified School Board where he served from November 1999 through July 2003.
Early life and education
Hernandez received a degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a Master's in Governance Certificate from the California School Boards Association (CSBA).
Hernández was raised in the City of El Monte and attended Nogales High School. As a youth counselor in the City of La Puente, Hernández worked with at-risk teenagers in an after school program.
Career
In 1998, at the age of 23, Hernández was elected to the Rowland Unified School Board and implemented community service graduation requirements as well as a parent empowerment program.
In 2003, Hernández was elected to the West Covina City Council.
Hernández was elected to the California State Assembly in 2010 representing the 48th District. As an Assemblymember for 6 years, Hernández passed 34 bills, and co-authored Senate Bill 3 which raised California's minimum wage to $15 an hour.
After being served with a restraining order for domestic violence during divorce proceedings, Hernandez was stripped of his committee assignments. A few months later, he took a medical leave of absence.[1]
2014 California State Assembly
| California's 48th State Assembly district election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary election | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Roger Hernandez (incumbent) | 13,254 | 48.5 | |
| Republican | Joe Gardner | 11,187 | 40.9 | |
| No party preference | Mike Meza | 2,878 | 10.5 | |
| Total votes | 27,319 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Roger Hernandez (incumbent) | 30,131 | 54.4 | |
| Republican | Joe Gardner | 25,284 | 45.6 | |
| Total votes | 55,415 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2016 run for Congress
In 2016, as he was termed out of his Assembly seat, Hernandez ran for the United States House of Representatives in the 32nd district, challenging Grace Napolitano. In August, after gaining a spot in the general election following a 2nd-place finish in the primaries, Hernandez withdrew from the race, citing fallout from his controversial divorce.[2]
Controversies
In 2007, West Covina police responded to Hernandez's home after a neighbor reported hearing a loud argument and "someone getting slammed around with a male and female yelling," but no charges were filed. Hernandez claimed that the allegation was politically motivated.[3] The former West Covina public information officer and city manager sued Hernandez alleging a hostile work environment in 2012, which was rejected by a jury.[4]
Hernandez was arrested for drunk driving in Concord, California on March 27, 2012[5] A jury later found him not guilty.[6] In January 2015, he was charged with money-laundering by the California Fair Political Practices Commission after a probable cause finding that Hernandez’s campaign committee had filed "an inaccurate semi-annual campaign statement with the Secretary of State, falsely reporting information regarding the true sources of contributions received.” [7] West Covina police granted an emergency protective order against Hernandez in 2012 when Hernandez allegedly entered into an altercation with a woman at a restaurant, although no charges were filed.[8]
In April 2016, while in the process of divorcing his estranged wife Susan Rubio, Hernandez was served with a temporary restraining order and ordered to have no contact with Rubio. Rubio, who serves as a councilmember in the City of Baldwin Park, claimed that during their marriage Hernandez physically attacked and assaulted her, providing photos with scratches and bruises.[9] In August of the same year, Hernandez took a leave of absence but was criticized for continuing to collect per diem reimbursements while on leave.[10]
References
- ↑ Panzar, Javier (Aug 1, 2016). "Assemblyman Roger Hernández out on medical leave following domestic violence accusations". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Bollag, Sophia (Aug 19, 2016). "Embattled Assemblyman Roger Hernández drops bid for Congress: 'I don't have the fight in me to continue'".
- ↑ http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/article/ZZ/20121031/NEWS/121039633
- ↑ http://www.sgvtribune.com/article/ZZ/20120625/NEWS/120627268
- ↑ "Assemblyman was driving state car when arrested in DUI case".
- ↑ http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/08/jury-finds-rassemblyman-oger-hernandez-found-not-guilty-of-drunk-driving.html
- ↑ "Ethics agency drops case against Assemblyman Roger Hernandez citing death of witness".
- ↑ "Woman files restraining order against Assemblyman Roger Hernandez".
- ↑ Winton, Richard (April 15, 2016). "Judge orders West Covina assemblyman to stay away from wife following domestic violence allegations". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Noon, Alison (August 6, 2016). "State lawmaker, on leave and pressured to resign, is still collecting per diem". Orange County Register. Associated Press.
