The Pacific Northwest has been a rare sign of life for the Democratic Party this week, with statewide candidate wins by women of color in Oregon and Washington.
Janelle Bynum has been declared the winner in the hotly contested race for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, flipping a much-needed seat Blue as Democrats fight to wrest control of the House from Republicans.
A former legislator from the Portland suburb of Happy Valley Bynum defeated her Republican opponent Lori Chavez-DeRemer with 48% of the vote compared to the incumbent’s 45%, according to the Oregon Secretary of State's results updated Thursday evening when Bynum was leading by 8,575 votes.
Bynum's win makes her Oregon's first Black member of the House. “I am proud to be the first — but not the last — Black Member of Congress from Oregon," she said in a press statement, "and I’m grateful for what this moment means not just for my children, but for all young people across our state to see that change is possible.”
“In Congress, I will always stand up for Oregonians — no matter who you voted for in this election — and fight tirelessly every day to deliver for families all across our district,” Bynum said Friday. “Today, we chart a new path forward for Oregon, one of hope, opportunity, and change for the better.”
In Washington’s 3rd Congressional District incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez defeated her second-time challenger, MAGA Republican Joe Kent.
Votes in Pennsylvania were also still being counted on Friday at press time.