Mabuhay and Aloha!

My name is Maria Teresa Hank, and I am proud to be running for Assembly District 9.

I come from humble beginnings as an orphan in the Philippines. Through the compassionate work of a local Catholic priest who facilitated adoptions for Filipino children by American service families, my life took a remarkable turn. I was adopted when I was just four days old by an American military family. My adopted mother, already caring for two teenage sons, was not fully prepared for a newborn. She picked me up from the hospital and had to wrap me in newspaper to take me home. My first "bed" was the top drawer of a dresser, and I teethed on frozen pickles because the base commissary had limited infant supplies.

When I left the Philippines, I carried with me two precious gifts from my Filipino godmother: a rosary and a handmade lace baptismal gown inlaid with baby pearls. These treasures remain symbols of my heritage and the love that surrounded my earliest days. I immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen when I was three and a half years old.

I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I spent summers at horseback riding and cheerleading camps. In 1987, I was crowned New Mexico's Junior Miss, and I put myself through college using the scholarship money I earned from the Junior Miss Program. I began my higher education at the University of New Mexico and came to Las Vegas as an exchange student at UNLV. Instead of returning to UNM, I chose to stay and complete my education here in Nevada.

My first political science professor at UNLV was Congresswoman Dina Titus, who taught me critical thinking skills and ignited my passion for public service—a passion that has brought me to this moment.

I am a proud mother of two adult sons, Quentin and Karlton, who both graduated summa cum laude from their respective colleges. I raised them as a single mother here on the southwest side of town, and their achievements remind me every day of what's possible when we invest in our communities.

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and crafting. I enjoy making leis, painting with watercolors, and working with resin. My current fixation is building anything flower or plant-related out of Legos—there's something deeply satisfying about creating beautiful botanical designs brick by brick. I also share my life with my beloved rescue dog Kaolani. Who, truth be told, rescued me just as much as I rescued him! My love for the outdoors began when I was a child, and that has continued in my adult life. I enjoy going on drives and hikes through Red Rock and our other beautiful public lands. I love living in Las Vegas, and I feel blessed to call Nevada my home.

My journey from an orphaned newborn to a candidate for Assembly District 9 has taught me that every person deserves opportunity, dignity, and a voice in their government. I'm running because I believe in the power of public service to transform lives—just as it transformed mine.

Three children, two boys and a girl, sitting together against a brick wall. The boys are wearing suits, and the girl is wearing a light-colored dress.
A woman with short hair and glasses holding a young girl with dark hair and a floral dress in a close embrace, both smiling.
A young woman in a white gown with a sash and a young man in a tuxedo standing together at a formal event, with a tree and warm lighting in the background.
A woman with long black hair smiling and holding two small children, all dressed in white shirts and denim jeans, against a plain white background.
A woman in a graduation cap and gown, and a man and a young girl in casual red shirts, are smiling for a photo indoors.
Three young adults walking on a deserted road in a desert landscape, accompanied by a small white dog.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a black blazer, white shirt, and a red bow tie with white patterns, smiling at the camera.
Woman using a megaphone to protest or speak out on a busy city street, holding a plastic bag and wearing sunglasses.
Woman smiling and holding a flyer on a sidewalk in front of colorful houses, wearing a TWTU shirt and making a shaka sign gesture.
Two individuals seated at a desk in a meeting room, with microphones, papers, and a laptop in front of them, participating in a formal hearing or discussion.

A Voice for Working Families: My Journey in Labor Organizing

From Worker to Leader

I began my career in 1990 as a flight attendant, learning the importance of safety, service, and problem-solving under pressure. After witnessing colleagues face unfair working conditions and inadequate protections, I stepped into union leadership in 2006. I am a shop steward, organizer, and the former Nevada State Co-Chair and COPE Co-Chair for Transport Workers Union Local 556.

I helped with successful organizing efforts for Allegiant flight attendants and casino dealers in Las Vegas, learning that real change happens when working people unite with a common voice. My advocacy work extended to state and federal legislators, fighting for FMLA rights, the Clean Cabin Air Act, and stronger protections for workers.

Current Leadership

Today, I serve on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Nevada Central Labor Council and as Nevada State AFL-CIO Delegate, and I am proud to be involved as a union activist and organizer across our state. I was selected for the prestigious TWU International Internship for COPE in Washington, DC, deepening my understanding of how federal policies impact working families.

One of my proudest achievements was working with Assembly Member Duy Nguyen on Nevada's Sick Care/KinCare Bill (AB112) during the 2025 legislative session, ensuring union workers can care for sick family members without facing penalties—basic dignity every worker deserves.

Education and Training

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Asian Studies from UNLV. My specialized training includes graduating from the George Meany School of Labor, AFL-CIO Organizing Institute, Nevada State AFL-CIO 2024 Labor Candidate Training, and, most recently, the EMERGE Candidate Training Class in June 2025.

Building Bridges

Drawing on my Filipina and Hawaiian heritage, I work to build unity across racial, socio-economic, and cultural lines in our diverse AANHPI community. I understand that our strength comes from bringing all people together.

A Vision Forward

Throughout my career, I've learned that effective leadership means building toward what's right, not just fighting what's wrong. I'm motivated by a vision where every worker is treated with dignity, families can thrive on their wages, and having a voice at work is a right, not a privilege.

I believe we must honor and care for the elders in our communities who built the foundation we stand on today. Their wisdom, sacrifices, and contributions deserve our respect and our commitment to ensuring they can age with dignity and security.

The southwest corner of Las Vegas has been my home for over a decade, and I have lived in Assembly District 9 for over five years. This is where I have raised my family, and this community is where I plan to retire. I have a vested interest in seeing our community thrive.

My experience has taught me that change is possible when people organize and engage in the political process. I'm ready to bring my skills and passion to Assembly District 9, fighting for policies that uplift all Nevadans.

For over three decades, I have dedicated my life to fighting for the rights and dignity of working people. My story is one of service—to my passengers as a flight attendant for 35 years, to my union brothers and sisters as a leader in the Transport Workers Union Local 556, and to my community as an advocate for policies that lift up all families.

Contact Me

I want to hear from you! Contact me with your questions and concerns. I would also love for you to get involved with our campaign. WE NEED YOU.

Send me a message and we will get right back to you!