Member Biographies

An engineer and first-generation American, Representative Arturo Alonso Sandoval (OK-89) represents south Oklahoma City as one of the youngest elected officials in the legislature and Chair of NHCSL’s Broadband and Technology Task Force.

Representative Rafael Anchía (TX-103) is currently serving his tenth term in the Texas Legislature, and is part of NHCSL’s Executive Committee under the South Region.

Representative Karen Alzate (RI-60) serves in the Rhode Island Legislature as chairwoman of the House Special Legislation Committee, second vice chair of the House Labor Committee, and part of the NHCSL Executive Committee.

Mia Bonta was elected to serve California’s 18th Assembly District in a special election on August 31, 2021. Before joining the Assembly she worked for and led several nonprofit organizations focused on improving educational outcomes for low-income students.

For Sen. Flavio Bravo (AZ-26), education has always been a priority. Prior to the State Senate, he served in the State House and sat on the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committees. He Currently serves as Vice-Chair in the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislator's Education Task Force.

Rep. Juan Candelaria is the President-Elect of NHCSL, and will begin his tenure in December 2025. He has served New Haven’s 95th District since 2002. At the start of the 2017 General Assembly session, Rep. Candelaria was named to the leadership role of Deputy Speaker, the first Latino to hold the position. He is also a member of the Appropriations and Education committees.

Senator Cristina Castro (IL-22) is the Vice President for Public Policy of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Prior to her election on December 2021, she served as a Midwest Region Chair. Senator Castro has served in the Illinois Senate since 2017.

Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (NY-39) has the privilege of representing one of the most diverse districts in the nation. Her first legislative session was one of the most progressive in recent New York history. She is an experienced attorney and a leader for tenant protections, immigration reform and workers’ rights. She has led the charge on rent reform.

Senator Nilsa I. Cruz-Pérez (NJ-5), a former U.S. Army Sergeant, is the Chair of NHCSL's Veterans and Military Affairs Task Force.

Assemblywoman Maritza Dávila (NY-53) has a strong community organizing background on issues like education, healthcare, public safety, domestic violence, affordable housing, open space, and economic development. She has helped found a local credit union; organized dozens of merchant, tenant, and block associations; secured lifeline benefits for struggling residents; provided job training and quality affordable housing for hundreds of families; educated on lead paint; and supported numerous organizations and initiatives to empower and protect women.

Senator Luz Escamilla (UT-1) was the first Latina elected to the Utah State Senate and the first immigrant elected to the Utah State Legislature in 2008. She serves as Utah's Senate Minority Whip, and as Chair of NHCSL's Banking, Insurance and Credit Task Force since 2018.

Rep. Leonela "Leo" Felix is a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly, representing HD-61 in Pawtucket, and serves on the House Judiciary Committee. Elected in 2020, she is a dedicated legislator committed to progressive change.

Representative Jessica González (TX-104) has dedicated her legislative time to reforming our criminal justice system, expanding voting rights, and fighting for affordable housing. She currently serves as Chair of NHCSL's Human and Civil Rights Task Force.

Representative Alma Hernández (AZ-3) is a healthcare consultant and a professor of healthcare policy and innovation. She led Arizonans United for Healthcare and is a board member at Jewish Family Children’s Services of Southern Arizona. She serves on the Health and Human Services and the Federal Relations committees of the Arizona House.

Rep. Johanna López (FL-D43) representes parts of East Orlando, in the Florida House of Representatives. In the legislature, she successfully co-led bipartisan efforts to expand access to high school diplomas and educational opportunities for K-12 students, and introduced legislation to increase retirement benefits in line with cost-of-living adjustments, among others.

Assemblywoman Lopez currently serves as Chair of the Housing Committee and member of the Transportation and Independent Authorities and Financial Institutions and Insurance committees respectively. Assemblywoman Lopez also serves as Deputy Speaker and is a member of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus.

Rep. Javier Mabrey (CO-D1) is the Vice Chair of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators's Housing Task Force. He has represented Colorado's D-1 since 2022.

Del. Ashanti Martinez represents District 22 in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he is on the Health and Government Operations Committee and is a member of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, Legislative Black Caucus, and Legislative Latino Caucus. He also serves as Vice Chair of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislator's Law and Criminal Justice Task Force.