Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle secured reelection in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District on Tuesday night, preliminary results showed. She received 53.5% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Monique DeSpain, who captured 43%. The 4th District covers most of the state’s coast and key cities like Corvallis, Eugene, and Roseburg.
Hoyle’s victory comes after over six years in the Oregon House and four years as the state’s labor commissioner. During her time in Congress, she has focused on issues like restoring hunting and fishing rights for tribes, improving worker safety, and supporting infrastructure grants for fishing ports. In her second term, she plans to continue work on expanding the port of Coos Bay and forest management.
DeSpain, a U.S. Air Force veteran, positioned herself as a political outsider. Her campaign received support from the National Republican Congressional Committee, targeting Hoyle’s tenure as labor commissioner and ties to the La Mota cannabis chain. However, Hoyle denied any corruption allegations and outspent DeSpain in campaign fundraising.
Overall, Hoyle’s incumbency, funding advantage, and the district’s Democratic voter base contributed to her victory. Registered Democrats make up 32% of the 4th District’s voters, with Republicans at 25% and non-affiliated voters at 35%. Hoyle’s win solidifies her position in Congress, where she plans to continue working on key issues for her constituents.
Source
Photo credit www.oregonlive.com