State Rep. Ana Hernandez

Born August 25, 1978 in Reynosa, Mexico, Rep. Hernandez was brought to the United States as an infant while her parents held work visas; she became a permanent resident and eventually a U.S. citizen following passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Raised in Pasadena, Texas, she graduated from Sam Rayburn High School at age 16. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston, she participated in a Peace Corps internship program in South Africa, working with local community leaders rebuilding the educational system in the post-apartheid era. She won her seat in a December 2005 special election following the death of Rep. Joe E. Moreno, who was killed in a car crash earlier that year, and is currently serving her tenth term in the Texas House.

Before her election, Rep. Hernandez worked as a legislative staffer for Rep. Moreno and as Chief of Staff for then-Rep. Jessica Farrar, and interned for state senator Rodney Ellis. She is a practicing attorney at the Mostyn Law Firm and has held positions with ConocoPhillips and as counsel for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. She is founder of Latinas on the Rise and sits on the Board of Directors of the Houston Hispanic Bar Association, and has also served as a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow. She was recognized as a 2014 and 2015 Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” received the Texas Association of Bilingual Educators’ “Community Advocacy Award,” and was named a 2014 Distinguished Alumnus by Sam Rayburn High School.

For the 89th Legislative Session, Rep. Hernandez serves as Vice-Chair of the House Committee on State Affairs (including its Subcommittee on Telecommunications & Broadband) and as a member of the Calendars and Licensing & Administrative Procedures committees. She enjoys spending time with her son, Gregory Eli.