The first Hispanic to serve in the U.S. Congress was Joseph Marion Hernández (often written Joseph M. Hernández).

Quick Scoop

  • Hernández became a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Florida Territory in 1822.
  • His service made him the first Hispanic (Latino) American to ever serve in the United States Congress.
  • He served a short term, from late 1822 to early 1823, representing the interests of the newly formed Florida Territory.

In historical discussions and “who was first” lists, Joseph Marion Hernández is consistently recognized as the trailblazing Hispanic presence in Congress, paving the way for later Hispanic and Latino legislators.

TL;DR: Joseph Marion Hernández, a delegate from the Florida Territory in 1822–1823, was the first Hispanic to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.