Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum is currently leading in the race for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District against Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The race remains too close to call, with Bynum holding a slim lead as ballots continue to be counted. Both candidates have seen slight decreases in their share of the vote, but the gap between them has remained virtually unchanged. The race is closely watched and significant, as it could determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Chavez-DeRemer, who first won the seat in 2022, flipped the district to Republican control after more than two decades. The district underwent significant redistricting after the 2020 census, leading to the ouster of moderate Democrat Kurt Schrader. Progressive challenger Bynum defeated Schrader in the primary and is now challenging Chavez-DeRemer in the general election.
The redrawn 5th District has more Democrats than Republicans, but unaffiliated voters outnumber both parties. This has resulted in closely contested general elections in both 2022 and this year. Both candidates have urged their supporters to wait for all votes to be counted before declaring a winner. The outcome of this race could have a significant impact on the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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