PORTLAND, Ore. — One of the most consequential and closely watched races coming up in Oregon's primary election is the Democratic race for the third congressional district. Congressman Earl Blumenauer has held the seat since 1996, but after his retirement at the end of this term, the seat will be open.
Oregon's third congressional district is the most Democratic district in the state that covers most of Multnomah County, including Gresham, Troutdale and the majority of Portland. It's highly likely that whoever wins the Democratic primary on the May 21 ballot will also go on in November to become the third district's next representative in Congress.
WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT? May 2024 Oregon Voter Guide for Statewide Races
On this week's episode of Straight Talk, tensions run high as the three leading Democratic candidates, Susheela Jayapal, Maxine Dexter and Eddy Morales, outline why they should be the third district's next representative, and some candidates make accusations that "dark money" from Super PACS has entered the race.
Meet the candidates
Susheela Jayapal
Jayapal is a former Multnomah County Commissioner. She grew up in India, and if elected, would the first immigrant and woman of color to represent the district. Jayapal said at 16 years old, her parents used all their savings to send her to the U.S. to attend Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. After graduating, she eventually became a lawyer for Adidas.
Dr. Maxine Dexter
Dexter currently represents Portland in Oregon's 33rd district in the State Legislature. She is also a pulmonary and critical care doctor. Dexter is the only person in her family to have graduated college, something she said wouldn't have been possible without the wages she earned from a union job at Albertson's.
Eddy Morales
Morales is a Gresham city councilor who has spent the last several years helping people in East County become elected officials through East County Rising, a political advocacy organization he founded. His mother is a Mexican immigrant who crossed the border hidden in the trunk of a car because she wanted better opportunities for her children, Morales said. If elected, he would be the first Latino to represent the district and first LGBTQ Congressperson to represent Oregon.
"Straight Talk" airs Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and Monday at 7 p.m. Straight Talk is also available as a podcast.