NAME
Brian Cardenas

SEX
Male

DATE OF BIRTH
March 11, 1959

PLACE OF BIRTH
Helena, Montana

CURRENT RESIDENCE
Eugene, Oregon

DISTRICT
Oregon-04

POLITICAL PARTY
Democratic

EDUCATION
B.A., Lewis & Clark College (1981)
J.D., Northwestern School of Law (1984)

OCCUPATION
Attorney

BIOGRAPHY
Brian Cardenas was born and raised in Helena, Montana, by his parents, David and Maureen Cardenas. His father was a local businessman in Helena, and his mother a teacher in the local school system. Brian left Helena upon graduation from Helena High School in 1977 to attend Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He graduated four years later with a degree in political science, and opted to remain in Portland to attend Northwestern School of Law.

After earning his law degree and being admitted to the Oregon state bar in 1984, Brian relocated to Eugene, Oregon, where he entered into practice and married his college girlfriend, Lauren Johnson, who had already relocated to Eugene to work as a radio personality at a station there. The couple has no children.

After practicing law for eight years, Brian decided to enter politics and run for Congress in an open-seat election for the 4th district, which he won easily in the Democratic stronghold after claiming victory by a thin margin in a crowded primary.