Chavez-DeRemer concedes as her fellow Republicans clinch House majority

Incumbent Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer conceded the Oregon Congressional District 5 race to Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum in a statement to the media Tuesday, Nov. 14. Her concession comes less than a day after Republicans clinched the 218 seats necessary for a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, giving the party control of both chambers of Congress as well as the presidency.

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as Oregonians’ voice in Congress,” Chavez-DeRemer’s statement read. “I’ve always been passionate about helping improve my community through public service, and it’s been a sincere honor to do so over the last 24 years – from Happy Valley’s Parks Committee, City Council, Mayor, and all the way to the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Bynum, a state representative from Clackamas County, declared victory in the race on Friday Nov. 8. The Oregonian/OregonLive called the race for Bynum last Friday as well, though major national outlets such as the Associated Press did not call it until Nov. 14.

“I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to my family, my supporters, and my team, who have been by my side through it all,” Chavez-DeRemer’s statement continued. “Although this isn’t the outcome we had hoped for, I’m proud of what we accomplished together. I hope Ms. Bynum will follow the example I have set over the past two years and serve as a pragmatic, thoughtful, and bipartisan leader who will work with the Trump administration to address housing affordability, improve public safety, and secure the border.”

Chavez-DeRemer’s election in the 2022 midterms made her Oregon’s first ever Latina congresswoman. Bynum made history in her own right with this election, becoming Oregon’s first Black member of Congress.

Deemed a toss-up heading into the election, the race between Chavez-DeRemer and Bynum was a focus for both Republicans and Democrats on the national level, drawing in millions of dollars in donations and leaders from both parties to Oregon to help rally support for each candidate.