Primary election results: Bynum wins Democratic nomination in Oregon's 5th District

Janelle Bynum has won the race for the Democratic primary nomination in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race at 8:38 p.m.

“I am beyond honored and grateful to be the Democratic nominee for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District," Bynum said.

"As a mother of four, I’m running to make the future brighter for them and every child in Oregon – for their education, their health, and their opportunities here at home," she said. "I’m running because working families in Oregon who are struggling with rising costs need a fighter who will deliver for them, not special interests, and I have a proven track record of delivering solutions to the biggest challenges facing our community."

The district includes all of Linn County, most of Clackamas and Deschutes counties, and parts of Marion and Multnomah counties.

Bynum, an Oregon state representative, faced attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner.

In a statement, McLeod-Skinner congratulated Bynum and thanked her supporters for their work.

"It’s now time for Democrats to unite behind our shared goal of defeating the MAGA extremist agenda and winning this seat in November, so we can take back the House of Representatives," McLeod-Skinner said.

"Public service is a tremendous privilege," she said. "I have been honored to serve the people of Oregon in several capacities. I look forward to continuing my life of public service."

Bynum will face incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the November general election, a contest that could help determine which party controls the U.S. House.

“There is so much at stake in this election and we have a choice between a democracy that works for folks here in Oregon, or the dysfunction in Congress that works for no one," Bynum said.

"Our district cannot afford two more years of an extreme enabler like Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who has gone along with the chaos of her far-right party and proven herself to be a part of the problem in DC at a time when our families need answers more than ever," she said.

Chavez-DeRemer, Oregon’s only Republican congresswoman, did not have a primary opponent. She narrowly won the 2022 general election, defeating McLeod-Skinner, who had defeated seven-term incumbent Kurt Schrader in the Democratic primary that year.

Bynum twice defeated Chavez-DeRemer in 2016 and 2018 for state House District 51.

Bynum, 48, is a four-term member of the Oregon House from Clackamas County and owns four McDonald’s franchises. She has been endorsed by most prominent Oregon Democrats.

She says her track record in the Oregon Legislature makes her the best choice.

Bynum holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

McLeod-Skinner, 56, is an attorney, engineer and public servant from central Oregon. She has made her refusal to take corporate PAC donations central to her campaign.

“I believe in being accountable to everyday Oregonians — working people, families, small business owners, students, seniors, and veterans — and that’s why I don’t take corporate PAC money, because you cannot be accountable to both,” she said.

McLeod-Skinner holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Cornell University, and a law degree from the University of Oregon.

Bynum told the Statesman Journal the top three issues she would focus on as a member of Congress are voting rights, abortion rights and lowering prescription drug costs.

“I will achieve progress on those issues by fighting to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which is meant to bolster and expand on the 1965 Voting Rights Act,” she said. “I will work to codify Roe v. Wade into statute and I will push to expand upon the initial list of prescription drugs outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act to be subject to Medicare drug pricing negotiation.”

McLeod-Skinner said her priority is “to provide safe and healthy communities where families can thrive.”

Campaign funding in 5^th District Democratic primary race

Between June 21, 2023, and May 1, 2024, Bynum raised $1.1 million and spent $772,000, leaving $ 339,636 cash on hand, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission data.

Between Jan. 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024, McLeod-Skinner raised $725,519 and spent $580,582, leaving $191,057 cash on hand.

Chavez-DeRemer, who doesn’t have a primary opponent, has raised $3.3 million and spent $1.4 million during the same time period, leaving $1.9 million cash on hand.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Bynum wins Democratic nomination in Oregon's 5th District