Janelle Bynum
Candidate for:
US Representative - OR District 5
What drives me to seek an elected position
I’m ready and eager to continue the progress I’ve made over my first two years serving Oregon in Congress. Nearly a decade ago, I first ran for office because I saw my kids not getting the support they deserve. For too long, our voices haven’t been heard in Washington and Congress has played political games with our livelihoods—that’s why, since I was elected, I’ve been working to fix what’s broken and deliver practical solutions to the issues impacting our communities. But the job’s not done. I’ll keep fighting to represent our community and level the playing field for all Oregonians.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
We need to deliver results for the next generation—things cost too much and there aren’t enough opportunities. That’s why I’ve launched my K-30 agenda to ensure young Oregonians get the support they need. The three pillars of my plan are education, jobs and housing, so in my next term I’ll pick up right where I left off fighting to make progress on those issues. I believe that every child deserves a good education that meets their needs; that after going through school and doing everything that’s asked of them, there should be good jobs available to our kids; and that you shouldn’t have to wait another 20+ years to buy a house. I’ll keep working to make our schools better, the job market stronger and the cost of a home cheaper.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
As a sports mom, businesswoman and former state representative, I’ve learned and felt the exact challenges that so many of my constituents face. Not only am I familiar with the issues, but I also understand how to work in a legislative body to fix them. In the State House, I delivered strong bipartisan results, spearheading efforts to add $43 billion and over 6,000 jobs to Oregon’s economy, invest in education and increase access to the ballot box. Now in Congress, I’m continuing my fight to create good paying jobs, strengthen public education, address the wildfire crisis and lower the cost of healthcare, prescription drugs and housing for families like mine.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
To me, it means 3 things:
1. It means showing up for your constituents.
2. Leading on values and bringing the fight to this administration’s cruelty.
3. Delivering real results.
That’s why since being elected to Congress, I’ve held 27 town halls and over 189 district events and meetings where Oregonians can come tell me directly what’s on their minds. I’ve also been outspoken about this administration’s state sponsored terror (that they call immigration enforcement) and their attempted takeover of our city. And finally, as I have been my whole career, I’ve been laser focused on delivering results. In a historically unproductive Congress, I’ve passed five bills through the House focused on making life better for small businesses, increasing public safety and lowering the cost of housing.