The race between Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Janelle Bynum in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District illustrates a broader national struggle: the tension between loyalty to Donald Trump and the desire for bipartisan governance.
Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican congresswoman who narrowly won in a district that favored Joe Biden, aims to present herself as a pragmatic conservative willing to work across the aisle.
Her emphasis on bipartisanship, support from unions, and focus on local issues like crime, homelessness, and housing affordability set her apart from typical GOP candidates, particularly in a blue-leaning state like Oregon.
Her Democratic opponent, state Rep. Janelle Bynum, seeks to frame Chavez-DeRemer as a Trump loyalist, pointing to her endorsement of the former president and alignment with key Republican policies.
Bynum’s campaign focuses heavily on connecting Chavez-DeRemer to the MAGA agenda, as seen in her advertising, which emphasizes Trump’s influence and the events of January 6.
The contest highlights two significant questions: whether voters in polarized times are willing to look beyond party labels, and how much room remains in the GOP for candidates like Chavez-DeRemer, who distance themselves from some of Trump’s rhetoric while still supporting him.
Chavez-DeRemer’s balancing act includes acknowledging Biden’s 2020 victory and opposing a national abortion ban, positions that distinguish her from more hardline Republicans.
Her ability to maintain this delicate balance, in a district that may back Kamala Harris in the next election, will be critical not only for her political future but for the broader question of whether there’s still space for moderation in American politics.