“I won’t sit by and watch as Donald Trump raises prices, crashes our economy and    stock market, and makes life harder for Oregonians...I will always fight to make life more affordable for my constituents.”  (Press Release, 4/2/25)

 

“I came to Congress specifically to address rising costs and to deliver results on what is my and my many constituents top priority. Unfortunately, Speaker Johnson hasn’t put a single bill on the floor that lowers costs.... That’s why I am calling on him to put the American people first and let us vote on legislation to lower costs, create jobs, and improve our quality of life.“ (Press Release, 5/2/25)

 

 

BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE

Her education includes a BS in Electrical Engineering from Florida A&M + a MBA from the University of Michigan. Prior to entering politics, she worked for General Motors as a steering systems engineer. Her business experience includes franchise owner of four McDonald’s restaurants.

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Jannelle Bynum grew up in Washington D.C. She currently lives in Happy Valley, Oregon with her husband and four children. 

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Her education has  a BS in Electrical Engineering from Florida A&M and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Before entering politics, was a systems engineer at  General Motors..  She is a  franchise owner of four McDonald’s restaurants in the Portland region. 

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Before Bynum’s election to Congress, she served four terms in the Oregon House of Representatives beginning in 2016. She won elections in 2018, 2020, and 2022. In 2024, she was elected to Congress with a 2.7% victory over Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

 

ISSUES

Representative Bynum has a track record as a bipartisan, problem-solving legislator. She has been a strong voice for police reform and a champion of Oregon’s semiconductor industry and for economic development in general.  Bynum fights for reducing the cost of prescription drugs, protecting women’s reproductive rights, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, building affordable housing, taking on the climate crisis and finding pathways in the economy and through education for young people to get ahead. 

 

Representative Bynum’s campaign website identifies her priorities in Congress:

• Reduce costs and create jobs

• Expand access to high-quality education

• Protect Oregon’s environment

• Expand access to affordable health care

• Support Oregon’s veterans

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POLITICS IN OREGON

The state of Oregon leans Democratic. Democrats hold five of its six seats in the House and both of its US Senators are Democrats. Democratic candidates for President have won there in every election since 1988. Both Houses of the state legislature have been under Democratic control since 2012.

 

Oregon 05 includes the eastern suburbs of Portland extending east into the Cascade Mountains and the high desert region.  The district is a mix of suburban and rural interests and constituencies. 

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Though Kamala Harris won the district handily in 2024, Bynum's narrow victory over a Republican incumbent make this seat a vulnerable flip target for Republicans. 

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The district 05 race is currently rated Lean Democrat by The Cook Political Report and Likely Democrat by Sabato’s Crystal Ball. 

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At this point, there is no declared Republican candidate for the seat. The Oregon Primary has yet to be scheduled.

 

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