BEND, OR -- The race for Oregon's Fifth Congressional District is being closely watched across the country because it could help decide which party controls the U.S. House in the next session. Incumbent Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) and her challenger State Representative Janelle Bynum (D) faced off in their second televised debate Thursday night, aired on KTVZ and KBND. The Source Weekly's Aaron Switzer also took part.
Co-Moderator Heather Roberts asked the women how they would represent such a politically divers district that stretches from Portland to Central Oregon. Bynum responded, "One difference between myself and my opponent is that I do town halls where you can actually talk to me. I show up. They are regularly held. My opponent has been criticized for not holding town halls." Chavez-DeRemer cited a recent congressional hearing she hosted in Redmond, and added, "I think it's kind of funny on the town halls. You're my representative and I've never been contacted about a town hall that you've held. So I call nonsense on that."
The jabs continued throughout the one-hour debate, as Bynum tried to connect her opponent to former President Trump, and Chavez-DeRemer worked to tie her challenger to the "defund the police" movement.
On the climate crisis, Chavez-DeRemer said, "For far too long, we have not had the conversation, because again, this not a partisan issue and I love to talk about this space. That's why when I got to Congress, I made sure that I was working bipartisan across the aisle with the Bipartisan Climate Caucus." She went on to say the Forest Service could do more to manage wildfires. Bynum responded, "I believe congress should take action wherever it can. So, whether it's making sure that people aren't building in places they should not be built, making sure that we invest in technology."
Things got tense when discussing transgender athletes. Bynum said, "I believe children should be safe in schools, and targeting them is just immoral." But Chavez-DeRemer accused her of not answering, "I think the question was trans and women in sports, but I know she didn't answer that question because she's afraid to answer that question." They also discussed housing affordability, climate change and reproductive rights, where both agreed they would not support a national abortion ban.
On a question of their opponents' campaign ads, Bynum said, "I don't watch her ads. I can tell you, in my ads, I've stood up for reproductive rights; full stop." But Chavez-DeRemer addressed her challebger's claims about Social Security, "There's an ad out there that says somethign about 26 times that I would not support Social Security and fund it. That's an outright lie. My opponent likes to lie." She then claimed Bynum voted to strip retirement benefits from police and other public employees, "Did you take the vote in the affirmative to strip PERS?" Bynum responded, "My opponent voted 26 times to cut Social Security." Chavez-DeRemer then demanded Bynum "Cite 'em. Bynum told her, "Baby, I will send it to you tonight." After the debate, Bynum's campaign did send out a list of 26 budget-related votes she says is proof.
Both campaigns are claiming victory. The CD5 candidates meet up for their final televized debate next wee, also in Bend. That event will air at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Central Oregon Daily and KBND.
