Oregon Rep. Janelle Bynum won the Democratic primary in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on Tuesday, setting her up for a clash with Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-Dremer this fall.
Bynum defeated Jamie McLeod-Skinner to advance into a race against Chavez Dremer, a race widely expected to play a major role in determining which party controls the House.
Two years ago, McLeod-Skinner ran as a left-wing progressive and defeated longtime Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader in the 2022 primary before narrowly losing to Chavez-DeRemer.
Some top Democrats believe Bynum, who represents Portland’s southeastern suburbs in the state House, is more likely to win in the general election. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and three Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have endorsed Bynum.
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Oregon Rep. Janelle Bynum (left) defeated progressive Jamie McLeod-Skinner (right) in the Democratic primary for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on Tuesday night. (Janelle Bynum for Congress, Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congress)
“This is one of the most swing districts in the country, and both parties really want to hold on to or re-election,” Ben Gaskins, an associate professor of political science at Lewis and Clark College, told The Associated Press about Oregon’s 5th election. Take back the House.
“I think the big question is to what extent are Democratic voters really going to prioritize enfranchisement?”
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Bynum will now face Oregon Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (above) in the November general election. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bynum, who is from Washington, D.C., was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2016 and has served on the chamber’s Small Business Committee. She is also the owner of four McDonald’s franchises.
Oregon’s 5th Congressional District includes all of Linn County, most of Clackamas and Deschutes counties, and parts of Marion and Multnomah counties.
Oregon’s 5th Congressional District includes all of Linn County, most of Clackamas and Deschutes counties, and parts of Marion and Multnomah counties, including Portland. (Fox News)
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Chavez-Dremer, who has no primary opponent, is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
