Summary
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
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.
Latest News
About
Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer is proud to represent Oregon’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which covers Linn County, most of Clackamas County, Deschutes County, and parts of Multnomah and Marion Counties.
Prior to serving in Congress, Lori started her public service career in 2002 on the Happy Valley Parks Committee, where she helped build the Happy Valley 4th of July Festival that it is today. Later, she won a seat on the Happy Valley City Council and became city council president. She was elected mayor in 2010, becoming Happy Valley’s first female and Latina mayor. She was re-elected in 2014. In 2022, she was elected the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. She is one of the first Latinas and is the first Republican woman elected to Congress from the state of Oregon.
Lori is a mom and small businesswoman. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, and supported the couple as he finished medical school. Later they founded an anesthesia management company and opened several other medical clinics in the Pacific Northwest.
Lori and Shawn are parents of twin daughters who are making their own footprints in the world. Annie works as a senior recruiter for Anesthesia Associates Northwest, while Emilie is an assistant public defender in Michigan.
Personal
Full Name: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Gender: Female
Family: Husband: Shawn; 2 Children: Annie, Emilie
Home City: Happy Valley, OR
Source: BBA, Business Administration and Management, California State University-Fresno, 1986-1990 Representative, United States House of Representatives, Oregon, District 5, 2023-present Former City Council President, Happy Valley City Council Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Oregon, District 5, 2022 Mayor, City of Happy Valley, Oregon, 2010-2018 Marketing Director, Shawn M DeRemer Medical Doctor Professional Company, 2005-present Co-Founder, Anesthesia Associates Northwest Washington, D.C. Office Oregon City District Office Redmond District Office Email: Government Source: Government To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post. Source: Vote Smart House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure House Committee on Education and the Workforce House Committee on Agriculture Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus, Vice Co-Chair (Bipartisan) Building Trades Caucus (Bipartisan) Congressional Hispanic Conference Main Street Caucus Problem Solvers Caucus (Bipartisan) Republican Governance Group Sneaker Caucus, Co-Chair (Bipartisan) Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer. Source: Government page 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Source: Government page Source: Wikipedia The district is currently represented by Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who was elected in 2022 to replace Kurt Schrader, who lost renomination to attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner in the Democratic primary. Kurt Schrader’s election marked the first time in the district’s history that a new representative had the same party affiliation as the outgoing representative. It was one of 18 districts that would have voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election had they existed in their current configuration while being won or held by a Republican in 2022. With the exception of Chavez-DeRemer, every single representative from this district since its creation after the 1980 census has been divorced while in office. Lori Michelle Chavez-DeRemer (born April 7, 1968)[1] is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 5th congressional district since 2023.[2] She is a member of the Republican Party. She is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the House. Additionally, she is one of the first two Hispanic women (alongside Andrea Salinas) elected to the United States Congress from Oregon. Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the House before being defeated in 2024 by Democrat Janelle Bynum. Chavez-DeRemer is a graduate of Hanford High School in Kings County, California.[3] She earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Fresno.[4] Chavez-DeRemer was elected to the city council of Happy Valley, Oregon, in 2004.[3] She was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. She served as mayor until 2018.[5] In 2016, after incumbent Shemia Fagan opted not to seek reelection to her seat in Oregon House District 51, Chavez-DeRemer filed to run as a Republican, and won the primary unopposed.[6] She lost by 564 votes to restaurateur Janelle Bynum in the November general election, in what was the most expensive state House race in Oregon of 2016.[7][8] In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed a political action committee to explore a gubernatorial bid in 2018.[9] In October 2017, she announced in a YouTube video that she would not run for governor, clearing the primary for eventual nominee Knute Buehler.[10][11] In March 2018, Chavez-DeRemer announced her intention to again run for House District 51.[12] She was unopposed in the Republican primary. She again lost to Bynum, by 2,223 votes.[13][14] Chavez-DeRemer won the May 2022 Republican primary for Oregon’s 5th congressional district. The district, which had been represented for seven terms by moderate Democrat Kurt Schrader, was significantly altered in redistricting after Oregon gained a House seat. It lost its share of the Pacific coastline and the state capital of Salem, but stretched further south to gain rapidly-growing Bend. Schrader lost the Democratic primary to progressive Jamie McLeod-Skinner and refused to endorse her in the general election. Chavez-DeRemer defeated McLeod-Skinner in the November 8 general election.[15] Both Chavez-DeRemer and McLeod-Skinner lived just outside the district at the time of the election. Under the U.S. Constitution, members of the U.S. House must be residents of their state, but do not have to live in the district.[16] Chavez-DeRemer ran for reelection in 2024 against Democratic nominee Janelle Bynum. The race was considered one of the most competitive in the US House and drew more than $26 million in outside spending. The race was called for Bynum on Friday, November 8.[17] Chavez-DeRemer is described by The New York Times as a “a mainstream Republican” who pitches herself as an independent thinker.[20] Chavez-DeRemer voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[21][22] Chavez-DeRemer was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter spearheaded by centrist House Representatives in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.[23] Chavez-DeRemer is married to Shawn DeRemer, an anesthesiologist. The couple lives in Happy Valley and have two children.[24] Chavez-DeRemer is Roman Catholic.[25] Education
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1722 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-5711
621 High Street
Oregon City, OR 97045Phone: (503) 387-8651
2757 NW 7th Street
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Redmond, OR 97756Phone: (541) 604-3141Contact
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Oregon’s 5th congressional district stretches 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. It includes a sliver of Multnomah County, the majority of Clackamas County, the rural eastern portion of Marion County, all of Linn County, a very small section of southwest Jefferson County, and the populated northwest portion of Deschutes County. It was significantly redrawn when Oregon gained a 6th congressional district after the 2020 census.Wikipedia
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2022
Party Candidate Votes % Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 178,813 50.91 Democratic Jamie McLeod-Skinner 171,514 48.83 Write-in 906 0.26 Total votes 351,233 100.0 Party Candidate Votes % Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 30,438 42.77 Republican Jimmy Crumpacker 20,631 28.99 Republican John Di Paola 11,486 16.14 Republican Laurel L. Roses 6,321 8.88 Republican Madison Oatman 1,863 2.62 Republican Write-in 429 0.60 Total votes 71,168 100.0 2018
Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Janelle Bynum (incumbent) 14,843 53.92 Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 12,620 45.85 Write-in 63 0.23 Total votes 27,526 100.0 Party Candidate Votes % Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 2,453 97.77 Republican Write-in 56 2.23 Total votes 2,509 100.0 2016
Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Janelle Bynum 14,310 50.85 Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 13,746 48.85 Write-in 86 0.30 Total votes 28,142 100.0 Party Candidate Votes % Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 3,255 96.14 Republican Write-in 96 2.86 Total votes 3,351 100.0 2014
Party Candidate Votes % Nonpartisan Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) 3,682 94.63 Write-in 209 5.37 Total votes 3,891 100.0 2010
Party Candidate Votes % Nonpartisan Lori DeRemer 2,749 94.63 Write-in 156 5.37 Total votes 2,905 100.0 See also
References
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