Summary
Maxine Elizabeth Dexter (née Johnson, born December 5, 1972) is an American physician and politician who served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2020 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, she was appointed in June 2020 after the death of Mitch Greenlick. She formerly represented the 33rd district, which covers the Northwest District and Northwest Heights of Portland, as well as Cedar Mill, Oak Hills, and most of Bethany.
On November 5, 2024, Dexter was elected to the United States House of Representatives representing Oregon’s 3rd district.
OnAir Post: Maxine Dexter OR-03
About
Source: Campaign Site
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I faced hardship from a young age, from financial struggles to a tumultuous home environment. Despite these challenges, I found strength and support in my community. Teachers and neighbors became my mentors, instilling in me a deep-seated commitment to caring for those around me.
At 16, I began working at Albertsons as a UFCW union member. The wages, health care benefits, and job security I received laid the foundation for me to pursue higher education, with the help of student loans. I became the first in my family to graduate from college and then went on to go to medical school at the University of Washington.
After moving to Portland with my husband and two kids, I fell in love with the city’s natural beauty and rich creative tapestry while balancing the demands of raising my children with my career. As a physician at Kaiser Permanente, I apply my expertise and compassion to care for the most vulnerable Oregonians. I tackle complex health issues by leveraging evidence-based practices, ensuring that my decisions are rooted in science and tailored to achieve the best outcomes for each patient. I bring this evidence-based approach to my role as a lawmaker, addressing the issues facing our community.
As a state representative, I have secured historic housing investments, strengthened abortion protections, increased addiction treatment options, and closed dangerous loopholes in gun laws. My progressive values guide my work, focusing on equity, justice, and the well-being of all Oregonians.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated my ability to bring people together, listen to diverse perspectives, and create progressive solutions that improve lives and drive meaningful results. Now, I am running for Congress, bringing my proven track record to fight for our values in D.C. I understand the critical issues facing our nation and am ready to tackle them head-on.
Web Links
Politics
Source: Wikipedia
Dexter ran to succeed Mitch Greenlick as representative for the 33rd district in the Oregon House of Representatives in the 2020 election. Dexter said she was inspired to run for office following the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearing, during which Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, which he forcefully denied.
She won the Democratic primary to succeed Greenlick on May 17, 2020, with 40% of the vote, defeating three other candidates, including Christina Stephenson. Greenlick died on May 15, so Dexter was appointed to finish out his term a month later. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dexter treated patients with the disease, and wrote a letter urging Oregon Governor Kate Brown to close Oregon schools in April 2020. She was reelected in the 2022 election. On July 31, 2024, Dexter announced she would resign from the legislature to focus on her campaign for Congress, effective August 30.
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
New Legislation
Issues
Housing and Homelessness
My Values
Safe housing should be a fundamental right, and it pains me to witness the harsh reality of many Oregonians living on the streets. As a critical care physician, I engage directly with houseless individuals who wind up in the intensive care unit, incredibly sick due to exposure and lack of care and services. As a physician caring for people at all income and insurance levels for over 20 years, I have a deep understanding of the additional complexity when housing insecurity intersects with mental illness and addiction. The housing situation in Oregon has reached a critical point, demanding urgent and decisive action from all levels of government.
What I’ve Done
I chaired the Oregon House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Homelessness in 2023 and 2024 and led the legislature’s efforts to address Oregon’s housing and homelessness crises. In 2023, we passed a historic $200 million investment in Oregon’s housing future within an unprecedented 60 days. Among many other priorities, this package allocated millions of dollars to provide homeless youth and families with shelter and housing. It also supported innovative, Oregon-based modular housing development to begin building units here at home. This year, I also helped lead the passage of another $376 million housing package which will fund homeless shelters, support renters, build critical infrastructure, and boost housing production.
I also fought to protect senior citizens and those living in publicly supported housing from massive rent hikes and displacement. In addition, I negotiated changes to Oregon’s 50-year-old land use laws, making sure we continue to protect forests, farms, and natural resources while also facilitating housing development. I led investments in additional housing for college students and farmworkers. And I helped strengthen Oregon’s first-in-the-nation rent stabilization law to keep families housed and communities stable amidst rising housing costs.
How I’ll Lead
● Invest in new, affordable housing development and expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF).
● Incentivize the development of new and innovative types of affordable housing with federal grants and incentives.
● Invest in new green construction technologies to make Oregon a leader in the research, development, and production of emerging, environmentally friendly construction technology.
● Support renters with rental assistance as well as down payment assistance for struggling families to purchase their first home.
Addiction and Mental Health
My Values
The addiction and mental health crises are public health crises. I myself grew up feeling the impact of a family who struggled with their mental health. For over 20 years I have treated people admitted to the intensive care unit after suicide attempts. It is heartbreaking to see people who have lost all hope but it is rewarding when we can help them get both immediate care and access to ongoing treatment. Unfortunately, our ability to get people into mental health facilities and care is far too challenging. Rates of depression and suicide are going up, and this is a deadly combination with the much more potent illicitly manufactured fentanyl people often use to self-medicate their despair. We must take decisive steps. First, we must make substance use disorder treatment accessible and affordable. We also need to destigmatize seeking mental health and substance use disorder care. It is also critical that we address the root causes, not just the symptoms of addiction. Finally, mental health and behavioral health resources for youth must be readily available in our schools and communities.
What I’ve Done
In 2022 I took care of a young person in the ICU who had unintentionally overdosed on what they thought was an Oxycontin pain pill but turned out to be counterfeit, laced with illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Friends at a party thought my patient was just asleep when they actually were dying. I worked all night to save this young person’s life, but their brain never woke up. I was the one who had to give their mother, friends and extended family the heart-breaking news. I realized this was a tragedy that could happen to anyone’s children, even my own. I had to take action. In preparation for the 2023 legislative session, I brought together a broad, bipartisan coalition and championed the Opioid Harm Reduction Package, which made life-saving antidotes like naloxone more widely available to combat opioid overdoses. I also helped secure investments to better fund treatment programs and mental health services. I listened to our community and helped pass changes to Measure 110 in the 2024 session to keep our communities safe from public drug use and to help get more people into treatment. I firmly believe addiction is a public health issue. We have our work cut out for us.
How I’ll Lead
● Bring in federal investments to expand the number of detox beds and drug treatment programs.
● Dramatically increase access to Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) for Oregonians, including those incarcerated who continue to be denied access to constitutionally required care.
● Advocate for comprehensive criminal justice reform, prioritizing effective treatment over punishment.
● Invest in mental and behavioral health resources in schools, communities, and our justice system.
● Close the de minimis loophole to allow our government to crack down on fentanyl imports and curb the supply chain of drugs by international drug cartels.
Fight for Universal, Affordable Healthcare and Stand Up to Big Pharma
My Values
As a pulmonary and critical care physician, I’ve spent over two decades caring for the sickest members of our community. Every day, I witness the impact that limited access to care has on my patients and on our community as a whole. Our current healthcare system prioritizes treating illness rather than preventing it. I’m committed to making sure we do both and we do it at a cost people can afford. Central to my vision is that every Oregonian, no matter where they live, has easy access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. This will take innovative approaches to providing care, meeting people where their needs are, and making sure we build a workforce that is able to practice medicine without unnecessary barriers that limit face-to-face time with patients. We must work toward the goal of adopting a single-payer model, and it must include comprehensive behavioral health, vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
What I’ve Done
In the Oregon legislature, I have persistently led in healthcare innovation. I have championed improved access to telemedicine, dental and behavioral healthcare; modernization of our public health system; expansion of school-based health centers; upstream investments in housing, food and climate resilience to prevent illness and disease; true value-based payment models that will get rid of our fee-for-service payment system; pharmacy benefit manager regulation and reform; investments in loan repayment for rural health providers; health system reform that incentivizes patient-centered care; a cap on the price of insulin; and expansion of Medicaid benefits to Oregonians, regardless of immigration status.
How I’ll Lead
● Pass legislation to ensure every American has access to high-quality, affordable health care with the ultimate goal of a single-payer model.
● Make sure every American has access to safe, affordable medications.
● Innovate how we attract, train and retain healthcare professionals, making sure we have a workforce that meets the needs of our communities.
● Rigorously regulate pharmacy benefit managers and private equity investors in our healthcare system.
● Improve access to medication, healthy food, and healthcare for older Americans and those with disabilities.
Fight Climate Change and Protect our Environment
My Values
As a parent, I know many of our children are plagued by anxiety about their future and the future of our planet. As a lung and critical care physician, I witness the direct impact of climate change and poor air quality on people’s health every day. In Oregon, where heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, and cancer rank among the top five causes of death, the correlation between air pollution and these diseases is undeniable. I will champion a swift transition to 100% renewable energy sources to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels. This shift is crucial, especially for our socially and economically disadvantaged communities who bear the brunt of climate change’s adverse health impacts. By addressing climate pollution, we simultaneously tackle health disparities, creating a healthier, more equitable future for all Oregonians.
What I’ve done
I passed budgets that allow the Department of Environmental Quality to implement the Climate Protection Program to require Oregon utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050. I’ve passed legislation that makes buildings more energy-efficient to further reduce emissions. I’ve fought for the Healthy Heating and Cooling for All initiative and the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work, both of which will prioritize low-income communities and outdoor workers to prevent heat wave deaths. I championed the bipartisan Drought Resilience and Water Security package which secured over $100 million to mitigate the impact of drought on tribes, families, and local farms. I also championed one of the nation’s pioneering Right to Repair laws, empowering Oregonians to repair their devices, reducing waste, and ensuring companies are held accountable.
How I’ll Lead
Pass a Green New Deal to create more high-quality, good-paying jobs for Oregonians.
Transition to 100% clean electricity nationwide to decarbonize our economy.
Invest immediately in the development of “smart” transmission grids, especially in areas where renewable energy is being created to move green energy to places where it’s needed.
Bury electrical lines wherever possible to prevent wildfires and power outages.
Rapidly expand the availability of electric vehicle charging stations.
Ban new development of fossil fuel infrastructure both on public lands and offshore.
Invest in water infrastructure, preservation, and data collection.
Protect our lush green forests from any attempts to irresponsibly harvest our trees.
Double-down on habitat restoration programs to protect biodiversity and deter the proliferation of invasive species.
Invest in expanding clean domestic manufacturing to make Oregon and the United States leaders in innovative, low-carbon, green manufacturing.
Ban ‘forever’ PFAS chemicals from consumer goods.
Hold corporations accountable for environmental pollution and secure funds to clean up polluted sites like the Willamette River.
Protect and Expand Reproductive Rights
More Information
Wikipedia
Maxine Elizabeth Dexter (née Johnson, born December 5, 1972) is an American physician and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Oregon’s 3rd congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented the 33rd district of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2020 to 2024, which covers parts of Northwest Portland, as well as Cedar Mill, Oak Hills, and most of Bethany.
In May 2024, Dexter won the Democratic primary for Oregon’s 3rd district after facing fellow Portland Democrat Susheela Jayapal. She was elected to the United States House of Representatives on November 5, 2024.[1]
Early life and medical career
Dexter grew up in Bothell, Washington, and graduated from Inglemoor High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science and communication from the University of Washington, and her Doctor of Medicine from that university’s School of Medicine.[2]
Dexter served her medical residency in Aurora, Colorado, and moved to Portland with her husband in 2008. She works as a pulmonologist with Kaiser Permanente in Hillsboro.[3] In 2023, it was reported that she would continue to work part-time at Kaiser Permanente as a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist during her congressional run.[4]
Oregon House of Representatives
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Dexter ran to succeed Mitch Greenlick as representative for the 33rd district in the Oregon House of Representatives in the 2020 election. Dexter said she was inspired to run for office following the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearing, during which Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, which he forcefully denied.[5]
She won the Democratic primary to succeed Greenlick on May 17, 2020, with 40% of the vote, defeating three other candidates, including Christina Stephenson.[6] Greenlick died on May 15, so Dexter was appointed to finish out his term a month later.[7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dexter treated patients with the disease, and wrote a letter urging Oregon Governor Kate Brown to close Oregon schools in April 2020.[8] She was reelected in the 2022 election. On July 31, 2024, Dexter announced she would resign from the legislature to focus on her campaign for Congress, effective August 30.[9]
Tenure
As a representative, Dexter introduced a bill expanding access to the opioid antidote medication naloxone, allowing first responders to distribute the drug to members of the general public, and decriminalizing fentanyl test strips.[10] The bill was signed into law on August 8.[11]
In 2023, Dexter served as chair of the House Housing and Homelessness Committee in the legislature. She was credited with helping to pass a $200 million spending bill on housing and homelessness issues.[4]
United States House of Representatives
Elections
2024
On December 5, 2023, Dexter announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Oregon’s 3rd congressional district to succeed retiring Representative Earl Blumenauer.[12] Dexter stated in an interview that she planned to run for Congress since she was 20.[4]
In the primary, she faced opposition from former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales. She was the top recipient of independent expenditure spending in the primary, with 314 Action spending about $2.2 million in total on independent expenditures in support of her campaign.[13][14] She received endorsements from politicians including Dan Rayfield, who served as speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2022 to 2024.[15] She was also endorsed by The Oregonian and the Willamette Week.[16] Dexter ultimately won the Democratic primary.[17]
On November 5, 2024, Dexter defeated Republican nominee Joanna Harbour in the general election.[1]
Tenure
Dexter took office on January 3, 2025, alongside other members of the 119th United States Congress. She has indicated that passing legislation to expand access to healthcare and improve air quality are leading priorities for her in Congress.[18]
Caucus membership
Political positions
Dexter supports the transition to a single-payer health care system. She also supports greater protections for employees, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increased money for public housing, and stricter gun control.[5] Dexter opposes efforts to condition U.S. aid to Israel amid the ongoing Israel–Hamas war but supports a negotiated cease-fire and delivery of humanitarian aid.[16]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maxine E Dexter | 33,707 | 75.6 | |
| Republican | Dick Courter | 10,796 | 24.2 | |
| Write-in | 59 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 44,562 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maxine E Dexter | 26,154 | 84.8 | |
| Republican | Stan Baumhofer | 4,651 | 15.1 | |
| Write-in | 30 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 30,835 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maxine Dexter | 46,689 | 47.39 | |
| Democratic | Susheela Jayapal | 32,300 | 32.78 | |
| Democratic | Eddy Morales | 13,162 | 13.36 | |
| Democratic | Michael Jonas | 2,317 | 2.35 | |
| Democratic | Nolan Bylenga | 2,099 | 2.13 | |
| Democratic | Rachel Lydia Rand | 834 | 0.85 | |
| Democratic | Ricardo Barajas | 624 | 0.63 | |
| Total votes | 98,529 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maxine E Dexter | 226,405 | 67.7 | |
| Republican | Joanna Harbour | 84,344 | 25.2 | |
| Independent | David W Walker | 10,245 | 3.1 | |
| Pacific Green | Joe Meyer | 10,106 | 3.0 | |
| Constitution | David K Frosch | 2,459 | 0.7 | |
| Write-in | 810 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 334,369 | 100% | ||
References
- ^ a b “Democrat Maxine Dexter wins Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District”. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Washington, D.C. Associated Press. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ “Oregon Secretary Of State”. secure.sos.state.or.us. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ “Maxine E. Dexter, MD”. Kaiser Permanente. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c Shumway, Julia (December 5, 2023). “Oregon state Rep. Maxine Dexter joins race to replace Blumenauer in Congress • Oregon Capital Chronicle”. Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Wong, Peter (February 13, 2020). “Maxine Dexter seeks open House District 33 seat”. Beaverton Valley Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Sickinger, Ted (May 19, 2020). “Maxine Dexter wins four-way primary to represent parts of Washington County and Northwest Portland”. The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ “Maxine Dexter sworn in to Oregon House District 33 seat, will serve remainder of Mitch Greenlick’s term”. Statesman Journal. June 15, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ “WW’s May 2020 Endorsements for Oregon Legislature”. Willamette Week. April 29, 2020. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Baumhardt, Alex (July 31, 2024). “Oregon Rep. Maxine Dexter of Portland resigns from state Legislature”. Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ VanderHart, Dirk (March 6, 2023). “An overdose-reversal drug could become far more accessible in Oregon”. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Hayden, Nicole (August 8, 2023). “Gov. Kotek signs 6 bills targeting addiction, mental health crises”. The Oregonian. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (December 5, 2023). “State Rep. Maxine Dexter Announces Her Candidacy for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District”. Willamette Week. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Shumway, Julia (May 22, 2024). “Dexter, Bynum clinch Democratic nods in Oregon congressional primaries • Oregon Capital Chronicle”. Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ “A closer look at Maxine Dexter’s primary election win over Susheela Jayapal”. KOIN.com. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ VanderHart, Dirk (December 5, 2023). “State Rep. Maxine Dexter joins race to succeed Earl Blumenauer in Congress”. OPB. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b “Susheela Jayapal opponent Maxine Dexter sees influx of support ahead of Oregon primary”. Jewish Insider. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ VanderHart, Dirk (May 22, 2024). “Maxine Dexter easily winning race to replace U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer”. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Terry, Lynne (January 3, 2025). “Maxine Dexter, to be sworn in as member of Congress today, aims to improve air quality, access to health care”. Oregon Live. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ “Caucus Members”. Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ “November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes” (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ “November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes” (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ “November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes” (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
External links
