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Janelle Bynum
2025 - Present
2027
0
Janelle Bynum (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Oregon's 5th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2025. Her current term ends on January 3, 2027.
Bynum (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Oregon's 5th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Biography
Bynum earned her bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Florida A&M University and her master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. Her career experience includes working as an engineer and a McDonald's franchise owner.[1] Bynum volunteered with the Board of Trustees for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon, Business Oregon, the Center for Women’s Leadership, and the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs.[2]
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2025-2026
Bynum was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
Elections
2026
See also: Oregon's 5th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Oregon District 5
Incumbent Janelle Bynum is running in the general election for U.S. House Oregon District 5 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Janelle Bynum (D) |
![]() | ||||
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Endorsements
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2024
See also: Oregon's 5th Congressional District election, 2024
Oregon's 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Republican primary)
Oregon's 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Oregon District 5
Janelle Bynum defeated incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Brett Smith, Sonja Feintech, and Andrea Townsend in the general election for U.S. House Oregon District 5 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum (D) | 47.7 | 191,365 |
![]() | Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) | 45.0 | 180,420 | |
![]() | Brett Smith (Independent Party) ![]() | 4.7 | 18,665 | |
![]() | Sonja Feintech (L) ![]() | 1.5 | 6,193 | |
Andrea Townsend (Pacific Green Party) | 1.0 | 4,155 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 495 |
Total votes: 401,293 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrew Aasen (No Party Affiliation)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Oregon District 5
Janelle Bynum defeated Jamie McLeod-Skinner in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Oregon District 5 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum | 69.4 | 55,473 |
![]() | Jamie McLeod-Skinner ![]() | 29.9 | 23,905 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 510 |
Total votes: 79,888 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kevin Easton (D)
- Lynn Peterson (D)
- Cameron Pahl (D)
- Matthew Davie (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Oregon District 5
Incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Oregon District 5 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 98.2 | 54,458 |
Other/Write-in votes | 1.8 | 1,009 |
Total votes: 55,467 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Endorsements
Bynum received the following endorsements.
- U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D)
- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D)
2022
See also: Oregon House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 39
Incumbent Janelle Bynum defeated Kori Haynes in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 39 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum (D / Independent Party) | 55.0 | 15,678 |
![]() | Kori Haynes (R) | 44.9 | 12,801 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 48 |
Total votes: 28,527 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 39
Incumbent Janelle Bynum advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 39 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum | 98.6 | 4,885 |
Other/Write-in votes | 1.4 | 68 |
Total votes: 4,953 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Lindsey Lason (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 39
Kori Haynes advanced from the Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 39 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kori Haynes | 98.6 | 2,876 |
Other/Write-in votes | 1.4 | 42 |
Total votes: 2,918 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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2020
See also: Oregon House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Janelle Bynum defeated Jane Hays and Don Crawford in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum (D / Independent / Working Families Party) | 52.8 | 18,939 |
Jane Hays (R) | 43.1 | 15,466 | ||
![]() | Don Crawford (L) ![]() | 3.9 | 1,393 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 48 |
Total votes: 35,846 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Janelle Bynum advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on May 19, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum | 98.7 | 6,607 |
Other/Write-in votes | 1.3 | 84 |
Total votes: 6,691 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Jane Hays advanced from the Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on May 19, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Jane Hays | 98.4 | 3,809 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 1.6 | 60 |
Total votes: 3,869 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Don Crawford advanced from the Libertarian convention for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on July 6, 2020.
Candidate | ||
✔ | ![]() | Don Crawford (L) ![]() |
![]() | ||||
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2018
In addition to running as a Democratic Party candidate, Bynum cross-filed to also run with the Working Families Party in 2018.[3]
General election
General election for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Janelle Bynum defeated Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the general election for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum (D) | 53.9 | 14,843 |
![]() | Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) | 45.8 | 12,620 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 63 |
Total votes: 27,526 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Janelle Bynum advanced from the Democratic primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Janelle Bynum | 100.0 | 3,405 |
Total votes: 3,405 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51
Lori Chavez-DeRemer advanced from the Republican primary for Oregon House of Representatives District 51 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 100.0 | 2,453 |
Total votes: 2,453 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Obama endorsement |
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During the 2016 election cycle Bynum was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama |
Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements |
2016
Elections for the Oregon House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2016. Incumbent Shemia Fagan (D) did not seek re-election.
Janelle Bynum defeated Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the Oregon House of Representatives District 51 general election.[4][5]
Oregon House of Representatives, District 51 General Election, 2016 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
51.01% | 14,310 | |
Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 48.99% | 13,746 | |
Total Votes | 28,056 | |||
Source: Oregon Secretary of State |
Janelle Bynum defeated Randy Shannon in the Oregon House of Representatives District 51 Democratic primary.[6][7]
Oregon House of Representatives, District 51 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
69.78% | 4,218 | |
Democratic | Randy Shannon | 30.22% | 1,827 | |
Total Votes | 6,045 |
Lori Chavez-DeRemer ran unopposed in the Oregon House of Representatives District 51 Republican primary.[6][7]
Oregon House of Representatives, District 51 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Republican | ![]() |
This district was included in the Republican State Leadership Committee's list of "16 in '16: Races to Watch." Read more »
This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2024
Janelle Bynum did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Bynum’s campaign website stated the following:
“ |
ADDRESSING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Too many Oregonians are priced out of their communities or unable to afford a home. That’s why in the state legislature, I worked on efforts to lower the cost of housing, protect tenants, and ensure low-income earners could pay their utility bills. I’ll continue to fight for housing affordability and remove red tape for housing construction in Congress. ENDING HOMELESSNESS Homelessness is one of the greatest social and economic challenges of our lifetime, and it’s critical we get people off our streets. As a legislator, I helped pass measures to prevent homelessness, increase shelter capacity, and expand mental health services. In Congress, I’ll work with local and state leaders to allocate more resources to address homelessness for our communities. TAKING CLIMATE ACTION The effects of climate change are felt close to home with brutal summers and the threat of wildfires year-round. I’m not waiting to get to Washington to tackle the climate crisis — we’re already part of the solution in the state legislature, sponsoring legislation to make Oregon the clean energy hub in the country. I’ll expand upon this work on the federal level, reducing our carbon footprint and creating good-paying union jobs. SUPPORTING OUR ECONOMY Our country doesn’t thrive unless our local economies thrive, and that means creating good jobs close to home, supporting small businesses, and bringing down the cost of living. These are issues I’ve championed as the chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business/Economic Development and co-chair of the Joint Committee on Semiconductors, exploring ways we can expand our workforce in the tech industry. I led on passing the Oregon CHIPS Act, the most pro-business, pro-worker, pro-Oregon collaboration in history. I’ll bring the same vision to Congress. LOWERING THE COST OF HEALTH CARE No person should be a medical emergency away from bankruptcy, but sadly that happens all too often in our country. In the Oregon state legislature, I worked to expand access to health care and mental health services so everyday Oregonians don’t have to choose between putting food on the table or a trip to the hospital. We need Congress to act — and that starts with protecting Medicare, expanding Medicaid, and lowering the cost of prescription drug prices. PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS As a mom, I want our daughters and sons to have the same rights, but Republican extremists like Lori Chavez-DeRemer think politicians should be able to make health care decisions for women. They won’t stop until they pass a national abortion ban. I’m running to defend reproductive rights and codify Roe v. Wade at the federal level. IMPROVING ACCESS TO EDUCATION Education is our greatest equalizer — I know this firsthand as the daughter of public school teachers and mom of four children. Our education policies should focus on uplifting our students, and that includes increasing teacher pay, decreasing class sizes, and improving school resources and facilities.[8] |
” |
—Janelle Bynum’s campaign website (2024)[9] |
2022
Janelle Bynum did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Janelle Bynum did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Bynum's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[10]
“ | In Salem, she’ll work hard, just like she’s been doing for more than a decade in our community. We can count on Janelle to find stable funding solutions for our public schools, so every Oregon student has the chance to dream big. She’ll work for safe neighborhoods and smart development, keeping our communities intact and our quality of life high. And Janelle will work to level the playing field, so hard working Oregon families and small businesses have a fair shot at getting ahead.[8] | ” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Personal finance disclosures
Members of the House are required to file financial disclosure reports. You can search disclosure reports on the House’s official website here.
Analysis
Below are links to scores and rankings Ballotpedia compiled for members of Congress. We chose analyses that help readers understand how each individual legislator fit into the context of the chamber as a whole in terms of ideology, bill advancement, bipartisanship, and more.
If you would like to suggest an analysis for inclusion in this section, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
119th Congress (2025-2027)
Noteworthy events
Challenge for speakership role
- See also: 2021 Oregon legislative session
Rep. Janelle Bynum (D) announced on November 9, 2020, that she would challenge Rep. Tina Kotek (D) for the house speaker position, and would prioritize legislation around criminal justice and accountability in policing if selected.[11][12] Bynum said in a statement ahead of the Democratic caucus speaker vote: "In this moment of shattering norms and elevating often unheard voices, I feel called to run and would be honored to serve."[11] Kotek released a statement before the caucus vote saying, "We have a huge amount of work to do on behalf of Oregonians, and I am ready to bring my experience to bear and get things done."[13]
In the November 16 Democratic caucus meeting, Kotek did not receive the 31 vote pledges needed to secure her re-election as Oregon's house speaker ahead of the official vote.[13] On January 4, 2021, Bynum rescinded her bid for the speakership. Kotek was sworn in as speaker on January 11.[14]
To read more about the selection of Oregon's house speaker for the 2021 legislative session, click here.
State legislative tenure
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Oregon scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from Februrary 5 to March 7.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to animal issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes related to the environment.
2023
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from January 17 to June 25.
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2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from February 1 to March 4.
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2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from January 21 to June 26.
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2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from February 3 to March 5. Special sessions were convened from June 24 to June 26 and on August 10.
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2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Oregon State Legislature was in session from January 22 through June 30.
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 79th Oregon State Legislature, second session, was in session from February 5 through March 3. There was also a one-day special session on May 21, 2018.
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2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 79th Oregon State Legislature, first session, was in session from February 1 through July 7. There was also an organizational session January 9.
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Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Bynum was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Bynum was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Bynum was assigned to the following committees:
- Business and Labor Committee, Vice-Chair
- Judiciary Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Oregon committee assignments, 2017 |
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• Business and Labor, Vice chair |
• Early Conduct and Family Supports |
• Higher Education and Workforce Development |
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Candidate U.S. House Oregon District 5 |
Officeholder U.S. House Oregon District 5 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "BYNUM, Janelle S.," accessed July 28, 2025
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "Representative Janelle Bynum," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search Results: 2018 General Election," accessed October 30, 2018
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election official results," accessed December 21, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed March 9, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Oregon Secretary of State, "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Abstract of Votes President," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Janelle Bynum’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 15, 2024
- ↑ janellebynum.com, "Meet Janelle," accessed April 27, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Willamette Week, "Statement from Rep. Janelle Bynum," November 9, 2020
- ↑ Willamette Week, "We Asked Rep. Janelle Bynum How the Oregon House Would Be Different Under Her Leadership," December 2, 2020
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Associated Press, "Kotek faces challenge from fellow Dem for House speaker," November 17, 2020
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "House Chamber Convenes 01/11/2021," accessed January 18, 2021
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) |
U.S. House Oregon District 5 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by James Hieb (R) |
Oregon House of Representatives District 39 2023-2025 |
Succeeded by April Dobson (D) |
Preceded by Shemia Fagan (D) |
Oregon House of Representatives District 51 2017-2023 |
Succeeded by James Hieb (R) |