Tim Hernández

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Tim Hernández
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 4th district
Assumed office
September 12, 2023
Preceded bySerena Gonzales-Gutierrez
Personal details
Born (1997-02-25) February 25, 1997 (age 27)
Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Socialists of America[a]
Residence(s)Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Northern Colorado

Tim Hernández (born February 25, 1997) is an American schoolteacher and activist. He has served as the representative for the 4th district in the Colorado House of Representatives since September 2023. Hernández was appointed to the chamber in August 2023 by a vacancy committee and is the first member of Generation Z to hold a state office in Colorado.

A member of the Democratic Party, Hernández advocates a progressive platform including support for gun control and affordable housing.

Personal life[edit]

Hernández was born on February 25, 1997,[2] in Pueblo, Colorado, into a Chicano family, and grew up in North Side, Denver.[3][4]

He went to the University of Northern Colorado and served as the president of the student body between 2015 and until his graduation in 2019.[5]

Teaching career[edit]

Before becoming a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, Hernández was a teacher at Aurora West College Preparatory Academy in Aurora, Colorado, and earlier worked at North High School.[6][7] He is a member of the Colorado Education Association, and was previously a board member of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.[8][9]

North High School and protests[edit]

"The district can say whatever placating, semantic bullshit they want about my position being temporary. But every associate teacher at North who wanted to stay at the school has been able to, and nothing proves why I haven't been given the same opportunity. I've scored above effective as a teacher. My student-perception surveys are 5 to 10 percent higher than the school average. I have a signed letter of endorsement from my department. But I was still let go."[10]

Tim Hernández, Westword

Hernández began working at North High School in Denver teaching Mexican American literature and English in January 2021.[11][6][12] According to Hernández, towards the end of the ongoing academic year, the school did not have enough money to keep him as a teacher, but offered him an associate teaching position for the 2021–2022 academic year under a one-year contract, which he accepted.[13]

In December 2021, a group of students at North High School, spearheaded by Hernández, wrote a photography and poetry book, titled Our Sacred Community.[14] The book describes the lifestyle of Latinx students growing up in the gentrifying North Side, Denver.[15] Along with being free to read online, students were selling physical copies of the book for $10 to fundraise for a student leadership conference they were planning on hosting.[16]

In May 2022, after Hernández conducted an interview with North High School, he was told by the school in a meeting that he did not interview well enough, and so his contract with the school would not be renewed.[11] He claimed that he was let go for "retaliatory reasons" and that he "openly [challenged his] principal on issues of equity and anti-racism."[10] This decision sparked outrage amongst students, as he was one of the only teachers of color at North High School. Approximately 50 students marched to the Denver Public Schools downtown headquarters, demanding that the school rehire Hernández.[17] On May 13, Hernández was placed on administrative leave after attending a student walkout in support of him;[18] this would be lifted on June 13.[6]

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy[edit]

Shortly after being put on paid administrative leave at North High School, Hernández obtained a teaching position at Aurora West College Preparatory Academy in Aurora, Colorado.[6] He was an 11th- and 12th-grade ethnic and Chicano studies teacher.[9] While working there, his class studied movements such as Palestinian nationalism, works of the Black Panther Party, and the Stonewall riots.[19]

In December 2022, after a shooting occurred at Club Q, a gay bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado, his final assignment was to write letters to victims of the shooting, after his students suggested the idea. Hernández's class was learning about queer studies the week the shooting took place.[19]

Political career[edit]

Before running for election, Hernández worked for Elisabeth Epps during her campaign for the Colorado House of Representatives.[20]

In August 2023, Hernández announced he was running for the Colorado House of Representatives under the 4th district. The seat was previously held by Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, who resigned to serve as a member of the Denver City Council.[9]

Hernández ran against former appellate immigration judge Ceclia Espenoza and former state representative Rochelle Galindo. On August 26, 2023, Hernández was selected by the vacancy committee of the Colorado Democratic Party to replace Gonzales-Gutierrez. In the final election, he received 39 votes; Espenoza received 27 and Galindo received just 2.[21] He was sworn in on September 12, 2023.[22] Hernández stated that he has intentions to run again in 2024 after his initial term.[23]

In February 2024, Hernández and senator Julie Gonzales proposed a bill that would create a special license plate representing the Chicano community in Colorado.[24] The bill was introduced on February 29 and passed the House Finance Committee in a 9-2 vote.[25]

A bill co-sponsored by Hernández and Epps, which would put a ban on the sale and transfer of semi-automatic firearms,[26] was passed by the House. All of those who voted in support were Democrats.[27] The bill was met with opposition from Republicans, who argued that it was unconstitutional and would decrease safety in Colorado.[28] It was sent to the Senate for approval, however its future remains uncertain.[29]

Political positions[edit]

Hernández is a progressive Democrat[30] and has advocated in support for gun control, affordable housing, stronger funding for public schools, and student rights.[31][32][9] Alongside the Democratic Party, he is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[33] Hernández has called for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.[34]

Israel–Hamas controversy[edit]

On the day of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Hernández was criticized after he and around three dozen other participants attended a rally in support of Palestine that took place at the Colorado State Capitol.[35][36] In a video uploaded to X, Hernández was asked if he condemns "the murder of women and children in the streets by Palestinian terrorists," which he refused to do asking, "what about it?" When the person filming said that he found the reason for the rally to be despicable, Hernández dismissed him, saying "congratulations."[37]

Fellow state legislators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Ron Weinberg condemned Hernández's actions and Governor Jared Polis released a statement saying "the only proper response is to condemn Hamas for these evil terrorist attacks on innocent civilians and stand with Israel." Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran also released a statement saying they are "deeply disappointed that when there was doubt, [Hernández] chose not to explicitly condemn the violent Hamas terrorist attacks," calling them an "atrocity that demands unequivocal condemnation."[37][38]

In a written letter posted to X, Hernández defended his actions, claiming he did not attend the rally in support of Hamas, but rather to give solidarity to Palestinians.[39][38] Several days later, he posted a video on X, where he formally condemned Hamas.[40]

Electoral history[edit]

2023 Colorado's 4th House of Representatives district vacancy committee selection[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Hernández 39 57.35%
Democratic Cecelia Espenoza 27 39.71%
Democratic Rochelle Galindo 2 2.94%
Total votes 68 100.00%

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Democratic Socialists of America is not a registered political party, instead, it is a political organization for those with democratic socialist ideologies.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Stein, Jeff (August 5, 2017). "9 questions about the Democratic Socialists of America you were too embarrassed to ask". Vox. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  2. ^ Hernández, Tim [@_timhernandez] (February 25, 2022). "I'm 25 today! Woah lol" (Tweet). Retrieved September 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "About". Tim For Colorado. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Wilson, Sara (August 26, 2023). "Denver Democrats pick Tim Hernández to fill vacant House District 4 seat". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Poulisse, Adam (May 4, 2019). "For some UNC students, graduation ends a long road filled with obstacles". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Roberts, Michael (September 9, 2022). "Revolutionary Teacher's DPS Hose Job and Aurora Rebirth". Westword. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Richard, Brandon (August 27, 2023). "Teacher and community organizer chosen to fill state House seat in northwest Denver". Denver7. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  8. ^ @ColoradoEA (August 28, 2023). "Congratulations to CEA member Tim Hernández - Denver's newest state representative! Hernández will represent House District 4, which includes Northwest and West Denver" (Tweet). Retrieved August 30, 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ a b c d Mathurin, Desiree (August 1, 2023). "Teacher and community organizer Tim Hernández wants to go from the classroom to political office". Denverite. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Roberts, Michael (May 13, 2022). "Teacher Tim Hernández on North High Ouster: "I Was Let Go for Retaliatory Reasons"". Westword. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  11. ^ a b McCall, Angeline (May 9, 2022). "Students, parents upset after Chicano teacher let go by DPS". 9News. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Aguilar, John (August 16, 2021). "COVID caused many teachers to rethink their career. These new teachers are ready to try again". Cañon City Daily Record. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Hernandez, Elizabeth (May 12, 2022). "Students, parents at Denver's North High protest after beloved Latino teacher's contract not renewed". The Denver Post. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Hernandez, Elizabeth (December 19, 2021). ""Where we come from is art": Denver's gentrifying Northside captured through the lens and poetry of its Latino youth". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  15. ^ "North High Latinx Students Create Poetry Book Highlighting Struggles Of Gentrification". CBS News. December 22, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  16. ^ De Leon, Victoria (December 17, 2021). "A look at North Denver through the eyes of the students growing up there". 9News. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Asmar, Melanie (May 20, 2022). "4 North High students on why Denver needs more teachers of color". Chalkbeat. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Roberts, Michael (August 9, 2023). "Firebrand Teacher Tim Hernández on Bid for Colorado House". Westword. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Berg, Alison; Moore, Jeremy (December 20, 2022). "An Aurora classroom's final assignment was writing letters to Club Q victims". Rocky Mountain PBS. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  20. ^ Mathurin, Desiree; Beaty, Kevin (June 30, 2022). "March concedes race, Epps wins House District 6 primary". Denverite. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  21. ^ Wenzler, Elliott (August 26, 2023). "Tim Hernández chosen by Democratic vacancy committee to replace Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez at Colorado Capitol". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Metzger, Hannah (September 6, 2023). "Q&A with Rep.-elect Tim Hernández | Activist-turned-legislator on channeling his fire". Colorado Politics. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  23. ^ Franklin, Gabrielle (August 28, 2023). "Meet the first Gen Z member of Colorado's legislature". KDVR. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  24. ^ Arenas, Jasmine (February 23, 2024). "Colorado lawmakers consider bill to create special license plate celebrating Chicano heritage". CBS News. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  25. ^ Whitley, Morgan (February 29, 2024). "Bill aims to create new Colorado Chicana/o license plate". KDVR. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  26. ^ "Semiautomatic firearm ban passes Colorado's House, heads to Senate". Associated Press. April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Klamann, Seth (April 14, 2024). "Colorado House passes bill to ban sale, purchase of "assault" weapons, sending measure to Senate". The Denver Post. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  28. ^ Birkeland, Bente (April 14, 2024). "Ban on assault weapons clears Colorado House". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  29. ^ "Colorado House passes bill banning so-called assault weapons". KMGH-TV. April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  30. ^ Metzger, Hannah (December 29, 2023). "People to Watch 2024: Tim Hernández, the Capitol's Newest Firebrand". Westword. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  31. ^ Hernandez, Esteban (July 27, 2023). "Meet the Democrats looking to represent northwest Denver's District 4". Axios. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  32. ^ Klamann, Seth (August 8, 2023). "Tim Hernández, teacher who inspired Denver classroom walkout, announces run for Colorado House". The Denver Post. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  33. ^ @DSAdenver (August 28, 2023). "Huge congratulations to our member @_timhernandez on becoming the next representative for State House District 4. Socialism is the future.🌹❤️‍🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved September 17, 2023 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Galván, Astrid (April 9, 2024). "40% of Latinos support ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war, poll finds". Axios. Retrieved April 18, 2024. Colorado state Rep. Tim Hernández, a Democrat who has been advocating for a ceasefire... .
  35. ^ McKinley, Carol (October 10, 2023). "Rookie legislator's support for Palestine in wake of attacks draws Gold Dome criticism". The Denver Gazette. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  36. ^ Wilson, Sara (October 10, 2023). "Colorado leaders gather at Denver synagogue to show support for Israel following Hamas attack". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  37. ^ a b Boyd, Shaun (October 11, 2023). "Video of Colorado lawmaker refusing to condemn Hamas atrocities in Israel goes viral". CBS News. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  38. ^ a b Powell, Erin (October 11, 2023). "New Colorado lawmaker faces criticism for stance on Israeli-Palestinian conflict". 9News. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  39. ^ Alvarez, Alayna (October 11, 2023). "Hamas-Israel war sends ripples of pain and fear across Colorado". Axios. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  40. ^ Klamann, Seth (October 13, 2023). "Colorado Rep. Tim Hernández apologizes for not condemning Hamas attacks as Republicans seek expulsion". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
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