Lori Chavez-DeRemer on running for District 5, top issues, what’s going right

KOIN 6 News contacted candidates who are running for Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District in 2024, asking them to respond to these four questions:

• Why are you running for office?

• What is your prior government/civic experience?

• In your opinion, what are the top three issues facing the Fifth District and the state of Oregon?

• In your opinion, what is going right in the Fifth District and Oregon? How do you plan to build on it?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer is running as a Republican. Here are her responses:

Why are you running for office?

As a mother of twin daughters and a small businesswoman, I was deeply concerned with our deteriorating economy, crumbling border security, record-breaking crime numbers, soaring fentanyl overdoses, and worsening homelessness leading up to the 2022 election. I heard from families who were growing increasingly frustrated that politicians weren’t doing more to fix these worsening crises, and I saw the harmful impact the issues had on our homes, schools, and businesses.

I’ve always been passionate about fighting for my community, just like I’ve always known the best way to make a difference is to get involved, work hard, and get your hands dirty – a lesson I learned from my first job packing peaches in high school. With almost two decades of service in local government, I decided it was time to put my experience to use and step up to the plate.

After winning a historic election in 2022, where I became the first Latina Republican to represent Oregon in Congress, I didn’t waste any time getting to work. Over the past 15 months, I’ve crisscrossed the 5th District to listen to Oregonians’ concerns directly – using this feedback to take action and deliver results at the policymaking tables in Washington, D.C. My approach has always been the same: I’ll work with anyone interested in passing pragmatic legislation that will make our communities even better places to work, live, and raise our children.

In a divided Congress, taking a bipartisan approach is the only way to break through the typical gridlock and get things done. I was proud to be the second-most bipartisan member of Congress in 2023. From passing bipartisan legislation to reduce homelessness among veterans to securing over $27 million in infrastructure and public safety investments for the 5th District, I’m pleased with the bipartisan results we have delivered so far.

But there’s still plenty of work to do. I love representing my fellow Oregonians, and I’m excited to be running for re-election so I can continue serving my community. With a strong record of delivering results, I’ll continue working hard to build on these successes and be an effective voice for the people I have the honor to represent. I’m just getting started, and I look forward to once again earning the votes of Oregonians from every corner of the district.

What is your prior government/civic experience?

Before being elected to Congress in 2022, I’d been actively involved in local government for nearly two decades. Like all parents, my husband and I wanted our daughters to grow up in a safe and thriving community, which sparked my passion for getting involved.

My first public service position was on the Happy Valley Parks Committee in 2002. I then sat on the city council, and after keeping my head down and working hard, I eventually became president. Throughout my tenure, I learned a lot more about our town’s needs and had a vision for building an even brighter future. I decided to run for mayor to continue building on our accomplishments.

I had the honor of serving as mayor for eight years, becoming the first Latina and first woman to be elected mayor of Happy Valley. Working closely with other local leaders and community members, I carried out changes that helped make Happy Valley Oregon’s fastest-growing community. For example, we balanced the budget and left $2.5 million in reserves – all while maintaining one of the lowest city tax rates in the state.

In your opinion, what are the top three issues facing the Fifth District and the state of Oregon?

The overall themes I hear most about from my constituents are public safety, border security, and the state of our economy.

Portland police have already seized more fentanyl pills this year than in all of 2023, and Oregon is experiencing the highest rate of fentanyl overdose deaths in the nation. To improve public safety, one of my top priorities has been finding pathways to address the damage that Measure 110 inflicted on the 5th District. The Opioid Crisis Workforce Act, which I introduced last year and has officially passed the House, will improve information sharing, training, and grant opportunities for workers involved in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Additionally, I helped lead the HALT Fentanyl Act and END FENTANYL Act. These bipartisan bills have also passed the House and will support law enforcement in their efforts to hold fentanyl dealers and drug smugglers accountable.

Sadly, Measure 110 sparked a vicious cycle of substance abuse that led to poverty for many – especially those with behavioral health disorders. In Oregon, approximately one in three homeless individuals have a substance use or behavioral health disorder. I’ve authored and introduced bipartisan legislation, known as the DIRECT Care for the Homeless Act, to offer health care services directly to homeless individuals by expanding a practice known as street medicine. In addition, improving affordable housing access is a key component of solving the homelessness crisis. I voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that would enhance the low-income housing tax credit and help increase the number of affordable housing projects.

The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our southern border, which has turned every state into a border state. The fentanyl crisis is just one example of how it’s directly impacting our communities in Oregon. In the bipartisan government funding package that was signed into law in March, I helped secure millions in additional funding to counter illicit fentanyl and drug cartel operations. The bill also included funding to hire 22,000 more border patrol agents and investments in new border security technology. Separately, I’m co-leading the bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act to curb illegal immigration.

As families continue facing elevated prices at their grocery stores and gas stations, I’m working to rein in the out-of-control spending that has devalued the dollar and driven up costs. The bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act, which was signed into law last summer, will save taxpayers $2.1 trillion over the next six years. I’m also working to make life more affordable for working families by providing tax relief. I strongly supported the House-passed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act – another bipartisan proposal that allows parents to keep more of their hard-earned money to pay for things like childcare, groceries, and utilities. With 40 percent of Oregon parents reporting that they have changed career plans because they couldn’t find affordable childcare, I’m also working to improve childcare accessibility through the bipartisan Child Care Investment Act.

In your opinion, what is going right in the Fifth District and Oregon? How do you plan to build on it?

Oregon has a strong track record of supporting workers and their families. I’m proud to be the daughter of a Teamster, and growing up in a union family has provided me with a unique perspective on the important role unions play in empowering our nation’s workforce. For example, the Teamsters fought to uphold my dad’s right to work normal hours – allowing him to spend more time with me and my family. They also fought for my dad’s right to a fair wage so he could support us.

In Congress, I’m working hard to create good-paying jobs, close the skills gap by expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and provide workers with good benefits and working conditions. Last year, I helped introduce the National Apprenticeship Act, which would help create thousands of new apprenticeship opportunities. I’m also helping lead the bipartisan Youth Workforce Readiness Act to prepare students for success in the workforce. Additionally, as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I’ve opposed legislation that would harm union workers in Oregon and spoken up in favor of registered apprenticeship programs.

My re-election campaign has already received several key union endorsements, reflecting our shared commitment to standing up for workers and their families. I’m proud to be endorsed by Ironworkers Local 29; the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Union; the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 5; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; Western States Carpenters; the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 23; Local 1159, the Clackamas County affiliate of the International Association of Firefighters; and the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council.

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