Bynum, Chavez-DeRemer vie for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District seat
This story will be updated at 8 p.m. with the initial election results.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is being challenged by state Rep. Janelle BynumD-Happy Valley, for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District seat, which covers Linn, Clackamas and Deschutes counties and parts of Multnomah and Marion Counties.
Bynum previously defeated Chavez-DeRemer twice to represent Oregon House District 51 in the Oregon. Then Chavez-DeRemer made history in 2022 when she became the first Latina and female Republican elected to represent Oregon in Congress.
The race has been among one of most expensive in Oregon this year. As of Oct. 16, Bynum has raised more than $6.4 million and had $512,623 cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission, while Chavez-DeRemer has received more than $5.6 million and had $613,570 cash on hand.
Bynum said she was motivated to run for Congress to be “a fighter” for working families in Oregon struggling with rising costs. She said her priorities include voting rights, abortion rights, lowering the price of prescription drugs and lowering costs for residents by supporting efforts including bringing manufacturing to the state.
“My work is a love letter to my own children and I want to make sure that there’s a future for them — for their education, for their health care and for their job opportunities,” Bynum said.
Bynum said Chavez-DeRemer says one thing in Oregon and does another in Washington, D.C. “She told voters here in Oregon that she’s pro-choice,” but voted to restrict access to abortion, Bynum said.
Chavez-DeRemer said her priorities include providing tax relief for Oregon families, improving public safety and supporting veterans.
“I’m running for reelection to build on my record of success and continue serving my community,” she said.
Before she was elected to Congress, Chavez-DeRemer served on the Happy Valley Park Committee, as president of the Happy Valley City Council and as mayor of Happy Valley in 2010 and 2014.
She said Bynum supported policies that created problems in Oregon, including support of Measure 110, which decriminalized drugs in the state, and what Chavez-DeRemer characterized as “repeatedly” undermining law enforcement.
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at[email protected] or on Twitter @DianneLugo
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Election results: Bynum, Chavez-DeRemer vie in Congressional race
