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

I was born in the Philippines and adopted at just four days old by an American military family. My journey to this country began with very little, but it was filled with love, resilience, and opportunity. I became a naturalized citizen as a young child and grew up in Albuquerque before making Las Vegas my home in 1989.

I put myself through college with scholarship money I won from the New Mexico’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program and graduated from UNLV, where I was a political science major and first developed my passion for public service.

I’ve raised two sons, Quentin and Karlton, here in southwest Las Vegas. They 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.

I’ve spent over three decades as a flight attendant and a member and shop steward of Transport Workers Union Local 556, fighting for working people and understanding firsthand what it means to stretch every dollar.

I’ve already delivered results for working families. I led the KinCare bill, AB 112, to make sure workers can use their earned sick time to care for themselves or a loved one without risking their job or paycheck. It’s a simple idea with a real impact, and I’m proud to have earned bipartisan support to get it passed through both the Assembly and Senate.

This community is my home. It’s where I built my life, raised my family, and continue to serve. 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. My story—from an orphaned newborn to a candidate for State Assembly—has shaped my belief that everyone deserves opportunity, dignity, and a voice. That’s why I’m running: to stand up for working families and give back to the community that has given me everything.

Mabuhay and Aloha!

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 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, and 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!