Meet the Congressional candidates in US House District 5 and 6
(This story originally published on Sept. 15)
Oregon voters in November will decide who will represent the state’s six congressional districts.
In U.S. House District 5, Democrats are looking to unseat the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district encompasses Linn, Clackamas, Deschutes and parts of Multnomah and Marion counties.
And in U.S. House District 6 — Oregon’s newest congressional district, which spans Polk, Yamhill and parts of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties — a two-time challenger is angling to unseat the Democratic incumbent.
These are the candidates in those districts, listed alphabetically:
Candidates for US House District 5
Janelle Bynum
State Rep. Janelle Bynum, 47, of Happy Valley, has been a member of the Oregon House since 2017. She and her husband own four McDonald’s franchises in Portland and have four children. Bynum currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee and as chair of the House Committee on Small Business/Economic Development.
Bynum said on her campaign website that her top three priorities as a member of Congress would be voting rights, abortion rights and lowering the price of prescription drugs. She also points to her work in the Legislature and efforts to lower housing costs and protect tenants. Bynum said she would continue to fight for housing affordability and removing barriers to construct housing.
U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon
Lori chavez-deremer56, of Happy Valley, became the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the U.S. House of Representatives when she assumed office in 2023. She previously lost to Bynum twice in her bid to represent Oregon House District 51 in the Legislature. Chavez-DeRemer is married and has two children. She previously served as the Happy Valley City Council president and was elected mayor of Happy Valley in 2010 and 2014.
She serves on the U.S. House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and the Workforce, and Agriculture. She has introduced 21 pieces of legislation, according to Congress.gov. The Senate companion to H.R. 3895authorizing several projects to expand health care services to veterans, was signed into law. Chavez-DeRemer said her priorities include providing relief for Oregon families, improving public safety and supporting veterans.
Read more about this race: Janelle Bynum, Lori Chavez-DeRemer compete for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District
Candidates for US House District 6
Mike Erickson
Mike Erickson is a 61-year-old businessman from Tigard and is married with two children. Erickson is president and founder of AFMS Logistics Management Group and has a bachelor’s degree in business from Portland State University. He lost to U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas in the 2022 election, garnering 47.7 percent of votes.
Erickson lists his priorities as fighting inflation, increasing U.S. oil production, securing the border, protecting the environment and lowering taxes. The son of a former police officer, Erickson says funding police and supporting law enforcement is another priority, in addition to protecting Social Security and Medicare.
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon
Andrea Salinas is serving her first two-year term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The 54-year-old defeated Mike Erickson in the election for Oregon’s 6th Congressional District and faces him again. Salinas lives in Tigard with her husband and daughter. She previously served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023.
In the U.S. House she serves on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Salinas said her priorities include lowering the cost of living, expanding access to affordable housing, expanding access to affordable health care and mental health care, and protecting reproductive rights. On her websiteSalinas also said “she understands the urgency to improve public safety” as the daughter of a former police officer. Congress.gov shows Salinas has introduced 20 bills in the U.S. House. Her first piece of legislation, a bill amending the Grande Ronde Reservation Actbecame law.
Read more about this race: Mike Erickson, Andrea Salinas again face off for Oregon’s Congressional District 6
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at [email protected] or on X @DianneLugo
