Establishment-backed Democrat defeats progressive in key Oregon House primary

Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum has won the Democratic primary for Oregon’s 5th congressional district, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, defeating her progressive rival in the race to oust incumbent Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer. 

Bynum beat out Jamie McLeod-Skinner, last year’s Democratic nominee, as the party seeks to take back the seat that Chavez-DeRemer flipped during the midterms. 

The district is being looked at as one of the key seats that could help decide control of Congress in the fall as Republicans grapple with a thin majority. Bynum's victory will be seen as a key win for the party establishment, who had largely rallied around her after McLeod-Skinner had defeated centrist former Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) in their primary last cycle, only to lose that November to Chavez-DeRemer.

Bynum pulled in major endorsements in the primary fight, including from the House Democrats’ campaign arm, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) and EMILY’s List, a group that had endorsed McLeod-Skinner in the midterms. An April survey paid for by her campaign showed Bynum with a slight lead.

The party is hopeful that Bynum —  who has previously bested Chavez-DeRemer in two state legislature races —  will be able to flip the seat back into blue control this fall. The Republican incumbent was uncontested in her GOP primary. 

The Republican incumbent was uncontested in her GOP primary.