Summary
The 2024 United States House District 5 election in Oregon will be held on November 5, 2024. The seat is currently held by Lori Chavez-DeRemer,.
The two leading candidates are Janelle Bynum – Democrat and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, – Republican.
The 5th district includes portions of the Portland suburbs, also stretching southwards through the eastern parts of Marion and Linn counties to Bend. The incumbent is Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who flipped the district and was elected with 51.04% of the vote in 2022.
OnAir Post: 2024 OR 05 – US House Race
News
State Rep. Janelle Bynum and Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be competing for a comparatively small slice of voters who fall somewhere in the political middle.
The stage is set, and it’s a rematch.
The candidates for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District — state Rep. Janelle Bynum and Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer — have gone head-to-head twice before in Oregon House races in the Portland suburbs.
But now they’ll face off in a new territory, a swing district that in 2022 was decided by just two percentage points. In a presidential election year all but certain to divide Americans along national party lines, political experts say these two candidates will confront unique challenges appealing to a key group: moderate voters.
In the 2022 general election, more than a quarter of the votes in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District — nearly 100,000 people — came from people who registered as non-affiliated or with the Independent Party, according to Oregon Secretary of State voter registration data.
About
Money
Total Raised and Spent
Source: Open Secrets
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[22] | Tossup | February 2, 2023 |
| Inside Elections[23] | Tossup | September 15, 2023 |
Web Links
- DeRemer onAir Post
- DeRemer Campaign Site
- DeRemer Government Site
- Bynum onAir Post
- Bynum Campaign Site
- Wikipedia
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Current Position: US Representative of OR District 5 since 2023
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: Businesswoman; Happy Valley City Council from 2004 to 2010 and Mayor from 2010 to 2018
District: from the Southeast suburbs of Portland through the eastern half of the Willamette Valley and then reaches across the Cascades to take in Sisters and Bend.
Upcoming Election: Running to retain her House seat.
In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed a political action committee to explore a gubernatorial bid in 2018. In October 2017, she announced in a YouTube video that she would not run for governor, clearing the primary for eventual nominee Knute Buehler.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the House.
OnAir Post: Lori Chavez-DeRemer OR-05
Janelle Bynum
Janelle Sojourner Bynum is an American Democratic politician, and former engineer serving as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives. She currently represents the 39th district, which covers northern Clackamas County, including most of Happy Valley and parts of Oregon City, Milwaukie and the surrounding area.
Born: Washington, D.C.
Office: Oregon State Representative since 2023
Party: Democratic Party
Candidate for: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon
Previous campaigns: Oregon House of Representatives District 39 general Election, 2022, MORE
Previous office: Oregon State Representative (2017–2023)
Education: University of Michigan (2000), Florida A&M University (1996)
Issues
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Source: Government Site
Agriculture & Rural Development
With a unique and robust variety of crops, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and other commodities produced throughout the state, Oregon farmers and ranchers play a key role in feeding the U.S. and the world. Willamette Valley alone is home to farms that produce more than 170 different crops. From dairy and beef cows to grain and hay, agricultural production is the heartbeat of Oregon’s rural economy, accounting for 13 percent of the state’s gross product.
As the 118th Congress considers a five-year Farm Bill reauthorization, I will be an outspoken voice for producers in the 5th District. We must ensure our farmers and ranchers have the support they need when disaster strikes, including after wildfires and for periods of severe drought. But I won’t hesitate to speak out if the federal government attempts to overstep and implement burdensome, unnecessary regulations. Our farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of their land, and I believe it’s important for public policy to reflect that fact. Additionally, I remain committed to ensuring Oregon’s farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to succeed in today’s economy. That includes improving rural infrastructure by expanding access to high-speed internet and making it easier for rural Oregonians to receive quality health and child care.
Congress
Economy & Labor
As the former mayor of Happy Valley, I successfully worked with my colleagues to balance the budget and make sure our emergency reserves were full – all while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in the state. I think Congress should operate the same way we do in Oregon. With our national debt above $30 trillion and rising, we must restore fiscal responsibility and work on reducing our debt. We cannot saddle our children with tomorrow’s bill for today’s reckless spending decisions. I will work to rein in out-of-control spending, which has been a driving factor of inflation.
Education
As a business owner and a mother of two successful daughters, I understand the importance and value of receiving a good education. I also understand that every parent has an inherent right to have a voice in their child’s education. No one cares more about a child’s education than that child’s parent. A one-size-fits-all approach to education doesn’t work, and that’s why public policy should support local flexibility and parental involvement to expand educational opportunities. I will always put parents first.
Forestry & Environment
There’s only one planet Earth, and it’s our responsibility to leave it better than we found it so our children and grandchildren can live happy, healthy lives. From mountains and valleys to forests and lakes, Oregon is home to a beautiful, scenic landscape that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s our duty to protect it. In Congress, I’ll work with my colleagues on climate-friendly policies that protect our environment.
Health
As business owners in the health care industry, my husband and I are passionate about finding ways to help Oregonians receive quality care. There are many pressing issues that need to be addressed in our health care system, including the soaring cost of prescription medications and expanding access to mental health and telehealth services. To make health care more affordable, I will focus on finding solutions that provide patients with flexibility without sacrificing accessibility. Patients should be able to choose the plan that best fits their specific needs.
Homelessness & Housing
Immigration & Border Security
The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our southern border. Not only has this turned every state into a border state, but it has also put the lives of immigrants at risk. I visited the border and heard troubling stories directly from law enforcement and local landowners who are on the front lines. Too many Latina women and children are facing physical and sexual abuse on their journey to the border.
My ancestors left Mexico and entered the U.S. legally so that my great grandmother could have a better life. I want to ensure future generations are afforded the same opportunities that my family had. We must first secure the border to curb the humanitarian crisis and protect our national security. I’ll also seek common ground to support safe and legal immigration to ensure those who want to enter our country legally can do so.
Public Safety
Oregon has not been spared from the violent crime wave that has swept the nation over the past few years. Criminals have been emboldened by dangerous, anti-police rhetoric – and now carjackings, homicides, and attacks on police are all up. The situation has been made worse by the border crisis, with deadly drugs like fentanyl pouring across the border. As Happy Valley mayor, I always fully-funded law enforcement and will do the same in Congress. We must ensure our men and women in blue have the resources needed to maintain law and order. They put their lives on the line daily to keep our communities safe and secure, so lawmakers should make sure they’re protected.
Transportation & Infrastructure
Oregon’s economy runs on our roads and bridges, through our airports, and over our waterways. Whether it’s hauling cattle or driving to work, infrastructure investments are critical to ensure our vibrant economy continues to thrive. As more grants are awarded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’ll work hard to ensure Oregonians’ hard-earned tax dollars come back to our great state. My experience as mayor taught me the value of safe, reliable transportation and infrastructure – and more importantly, how to find solutions and complete these projects for the betterment of our communities.
The housing shortage is an issue I frequently hear about from Oregonians as I travel the district. Oregon’s land-use system needs reform to incentivize the building of more affordable housing units. I’ll work on expanding affordable housing options and achieving the American dream of home ownership, which is also an important first step towards addressing the homelessness crisis in Oregon.
Veterans
As mayor, I helped build a local veterans’ memorial to give these brave men and women the recognition and gratitude they deserve. Veterans put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms and liberties we peacefully enjoy every day, and they deserve the best care and attention. I’ll work to support our nation’s heroes by proposing necessary improvements at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expanding workforce opportunities, and ensuring veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Janelle Bynum
Source: Campaign site
ADDRESSING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Too many Oregonians are priced out of their communities or unable to afford a home. That’s why in the state legislature, I worked on efforts to lower the cost of housing, protect tenants, and ensure low-income earners could pay their utility bills. I’ll continue to fight for housing affordability and remove red tape for housing construction in Congress.
ENDING HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness is one of the greatest social and economic challenges of our lifetime, and it’s critical we get people off our streets. As a legislator, I helped pass measures to prevent homelessness, increase shelter capacity, and expand mental health services. In Congress, I’ll work with local and state leaders to allocate more resources to address homelessness for our communities.
TAKING CLIMATE ACTION
The effects of climate change are felt close to home with brutal summers and the threat of wildfires year-round. I’m not waiting to get to Washington to tackle the climate crisis — we’re already part of the solution in the state legislature, sponsoring legislation to make Oregon the clean energy hub in the country. I’ll expand upon this work on the federal level, reducing our carbon footprint and creating good-paying union jobs.
SUPPORTING OUR ECONOMY
Our country doesn’t thrive unless our local economies thrive, and that means creating good jobs close to home, supporting small businesses, and bringing down the cost of living. These are issues I’ve championed as the chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business/Economic Development and co-chair of the Joint Committee on Semiconductors, exploring ways we can expand our workforce in the tech industry. I led on passing the Oregon CHIPS Act, the most pro-business, pro-worker, pro-Oregon collaboration in history. I’ll bring the same vision to Congress.
LOWERING THE COST OF HEALTH CARE
No person should be a medical emergency away from bankruptcy, but sadly that happens all too often in our country. In the Oregon state legislature, I worked to expand access to health care and mental health services so everyday Oregonians don’t have to choose between putting food on the table or a trip to the hospital. We need Congress to act — and that starts with protecting Medicare, expanding Medicaid, and lowering the cost of prescription drug prices.
PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
As a mom, I want our daughters and sons to have the same rights, but Republican extremists like Lori Chavez-DeRemer think politicians should be able to make health care decisions for women. They won’t stop until they pass a national abortion ban. I’m running to defend reproductive rights and codify Roe v. Wade at the federal level.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO EDUCATION
Education is our greatest equalizer — I know this firsthand as the daughter of public school teachers and mom of four children. Our education policies should focus on uplifting our students, and that includes increasing teacher pay, decreasing class sizes, and improving school resources and facilities.
