Janelle Bynum Makes History as Oregon’s First Black Representative, Wins 5th Congressional District

Democratic state lawmaker Janelle Bynum has been projected to win the highly contested race for Oregon‘s 5th Congressional District, marking a significant milestone as she becomes the first Black member of Congress from Oregon.

Bynum, a former Oregon legislator from Happy Valley, declared victory on Friday after vote tallies showed her leading incumbent Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer by 8,575 votes. As of the latest updates, Bynum had secured about 48% of the vote, compared to Chavez-DeRemer’s 45%.

The 5th Congressional District, a true swing seat, spans across urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon. Bynum was winning in key counties such as Clackamas, Deschutes, and Multnomah, while Chavez-DeRemer was leading in Marion and Linn counties.

Bynum’s victory is a crucial win for the Democratic Party, especially in a cycle where Democrats have faced significant losses. Her campaign was backed by prominent Democrats, including Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, and powerful political groups like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. She also outraised Chavez-DeRemer, collecting more than $5.8 million in total contributions.

In her victory statement, Bynum emphasized her commitment to the future of Oregon’s children, vowing to work on their education, reproductive freedoms, and job opportunities. She also expressed her pride in being a trailblazer, stating, “I am proud to be the first — but not the last — Black Member of Congress from Oregon, and I’m grateful for what this moment means not just for my children, but for all young people across our state to see that change is possible”.

Although the Associated Press has not formally called the race, Bynum’s lead and declaration of victory signify a significant shift in the district, which was flipped by Chavez-DeRemer in 2022. Bynum’s win contributes to the Democrats’ efforts to maintain control of the U.S. House, which remains in play with several other races still undecided.