Janelle Bynum (D) won the Democratic primary for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on May 21, 2024. Bynum received 70% of the vote. Jamie McLeod-Skinner (D) finished in second with 30%.

McLeod-Skinner won the Democratic primary in 2022, defeating then-incumbent Rep. Kurt Schrader (D). McLeod Skinner lost to Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) in the general election 50.9%-48.8%.

Democratic strategist Hannah Love said while there were “really clear ideological differences” in the 2022 primary, Bynum and McLeod-Skinner were ideologically similar, causing their campaigns to focus on electability. Bynum and McCleod-Skinner each said they supported lowering housing costs, expanding healthcare access, reducing healthcare costs, increasing infrastructure spending, and addressing climate change.

Bynum said her 2016 and 2018 victories over Chavez-DeRemer for the 51st District in the Oregon House of Representatives made her the best candidate in the general election. Bynum said, “I have a track record of serving a very purple district just like CD-5. I have beaten the incumbent freshman lawmaker twice, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer has shown a willingness to rubberstamp the craziness that’s happening in Washington, and Oregonians have said enough.”

McLeod-Skinner said her experience with issues affecting both urban and rural communities in the district made her the strongest general election candidate. She said, “My experience fits the needs of the district. My career in housing, natural resources, education, emergency response, and building healthy communities – I’ve got a strong base because of that work. I’m the best positioned Democrat to win the seat and help flip the seat next year.”

McLeod-Skinner criticized Bynum for receiving an endorsement from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) after the DCCC listed Bynum on its Red to Blue program – a list of candidates it helps run against Republican incumbents. McLeod-Skinner called the primary endorsement “wrong and undemocratic.” The DCCC endorsed Schrader during the 2022 primary.

Bynum thanked the DCCC for its endorsement. She said, “I am honored to receive this united support from Democrats throughout our state and across the country – because they understand that Oregonians deserve a representative who will stand up for us, protect reproductive rights, strengthen our local economy and finally deliver results for our families in Congress.”

The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated Oregon’s 5th Congressional District as a toss-up, meaning neither party has an advantage in the general election.