Bynum, a lawmaker and small business owner, will be Oregon's first Black representative in Congress.

Summary

Oregon Democrat Janelle Bynum won a seat in the U.S. House, becoming the state’s first Black representative after defeating Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in a closely watched race for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

Bynum led by a strong margin in key counties, ensuring a Democratic victory. Her campaign emphasized combatting extremism, reproductive rights, and economic growth, and she received significant support and funding from national Democrats.

While Republicans retain a narrow lead in the overall House, Bynum’s win represents a major gain for Oregon Democrats amid a competitive election cycle.

  • DrMorose@lemmy.world
    82·
    12 days ago

    My inner cynic is coming to the surface on this one. I would rather the GOP control all 3 branches so it doesn’t give them an excuse that the “other side” is holding back progress or some other bullshit. Yes it would mean unchecked power, but it might be the only way to open people’s eyes…I can’t even finish that because I doubt even that would happen.

    • aStonedSanta@lemm.ee
      3·
      12 days ago

      Sadly it won’t work that way. I’ve seen republicans vote against legislation. Then go home and claim it with their populous cause dems forced it through. These people are fucking scum.

    • DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social
      21·
      13 days ago

      Yeah, I didn’t have a lot of hope that the Dems would have enough neocons left in the House to lean on and stop the absolute worst but they might, might have enough to stop a complete fascist takeover.

    • xyzzy@lemm.ee
      2·
      11 days ago

      The Republicans were absolutely inundating the district with the most vile stuff, like how she “voted in favor of rapists.” They dramatically outspent her campaign.

      I’m really happy she won.

      • Bustedknuckles@lemmy.world
        2·
        12 days ago

        Thanks, me too! But it’s been awhile since I’ve had a Representative in the House that I was happy with. House districts are too big for their stated purpose OR5 goes from Portland suburbs to Bend

  • PumpkinSkink@lemmy.world
    3·
    12 days ago

    This is spectacular to hear. I have to wonder if the shift in control will exacerbate the issues that prevented the passing of a budget, however. I haven’t thought it through fully yet, but whatever the make up of the senate and house are, passing a budget is priority #1, and how that shakes out is going to be one of, if not the most significant short term effect on the economic situation of regular people.

    • xyzzy@lemm.ee
      1·
      11 days ago

      It’s the most evenly divided district in Oregon in partisan terms and she ran on a “bipartisan” theme. She’d be pretty hard-pressed to make her case.