World News

Janelle Bynum is projected winner of Oregon Congressional District 5 race

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

(NewsNation) — NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ has called the race for Oregon’s District 5 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of Janelle Bynum. See the results of U.S. House and U.S. Senate races from around the country here.

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer was looking to hold onto her seat against Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum in what The Cook Political Report considered Oregon’s most competitive battles.

Chavez-DeRemer ran unopposed in Oregon’s Republican primary, setting up a general election showdown with Bynum, who won convincingly in her primary election. The 13th District stretches between Portland and Bend.

The Republican incumbent was praised by House Speaker Mike Johnson for her bipartisan voting record in Congress, where she has served since 2023 when she was able to flip the seat by defeating Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner. The victory came despite President Joe Biden winning the 13th District in that year.

See NewsNation’s election live blog with real-time analysis from our political experts and the latest race calls nationwide powered by Decision Desk HQ. Watch live results from the presidential election, important swing states and the balance of power in Congress. NewsNation will also be tracking your local state elections and impactful ballot initiatives around the country.

Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket in Tuesday’s election was seen as a possible boost for Bynum, most political experts considered the District 13 race a toss-up.

Chavez-DeRemer worked in local politics in Happy Valley, including as the city’s mayor.

Bynum has served four terms in the Oregon House of Representatives. Two of her victories to remain in the state house came over Chavez-DeRemer, adding to the spotlight on the close race for the District 13 seat.

Political pundits told Oregon Public Radio that the 13th District is among the top 5 districts that Democrats are hoping to flip as they attempt to chip away at the Republicans’ majority in the House.