Member Biographies

Senator Leo Jaramillo (D-5) was elected in 2020, and he currently serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, a member of the Corporations and Transportation Committee, and the Majority Caucus Chair for the New Mexico Senate Democratic Leadership team.

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.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales became New Mexico's 30th Lieutenant Governor in November 2018 alongside Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. He currently serves in NHCSL's Executive Committee representing the West Region.

Sen. Nitza Morán works for equality for all the Americans that she represents in the Senate of Puerto Rico. She's also NHCSL's Business, Economic Development, International Relations and Trade Task Force's Vice-Chair.

Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self (WA-21) is the Secretary of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, and previously served as West Region Chair. She has represented the 21st Legislative District since 2013, and is a member of the Washington House leadership team, serving as Majority Caucus chair.

Rep. Veronica Paiz is Michigan State Representative for House District 11. She currently serves in NHCSL Executive Committee.

Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk has built a career dedicated to justice, healthcare access, and equity. Representing Maryland’s Legislative District 21, she serves as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, where she has been a leading force in shaping policies that improve the lives of Marylanders. She is the highest-ranking Latina in the Maryland General Assembly and has passed over 100 bills into law, many of them the first of their kind in the nation.

From his seat in the House of Representatives, Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero promotes progressive legislation in areas such as sports, environmental issues, consumer affairs, and essential services. He currently serves as NHCSL's Treasurer.

Congresswoman Nellie Pou (NJ) is the Immediate Past President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. Her two-year term as President began at the end of 2021. Prior to her election as President-Elect on December 5, 2019, she served as NHCSL's East Region Chair. In 2024, she became the first Latina to represent New Jersey a the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rep. Priscilla Prado's (WI-09) resilience fuels her passion for advocacy, particularly in ensuring economic opportunities, healthcare access, and resources for working families.

Rep. Geraldo Reyes Jr. has represented the 75th Assembly District of Waterbury in the Connecticut House of Representatives since 2016.

Sen. Carmelo J. Ríos-Santiago served as President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. In early 2018, he was elected President of NHCSL after having served as Vice-President for Membership, Parliamentarian and Vice-President. Senator Ríos-Santiago has served in the Puerto Rico Senate since 2005 and is the current Senate Majority Leader.

Representative Ramón Romero, Jr. (D-90) serves as the Chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus for the 89th Texas Legislative Session and is NHCSL's Vice President for Membership.

Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero (NM-13) served as Treasurer of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators during the 2021-2023 period. Rep. Roybal Caballero has served in the New Mexico State Legislature since 2013. Rep. Roybal Caballero previously served as National Treasurer of LULAC (2015-2018), the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the U.S., founded in 1929.

Senator Teresa Ruiz was the first Puerto Rican elected to the New Jersey Senate where she currently serves as Majority Leader.