Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms. The U.S. Congress handles fewer bills than state legislatures, often deliberating topics for years due to the size and complexity of federal issues.

Oregon has six congressional districts, and therefore six congresspeople in the U.S. House of Representatives. All districts except Oregon’s second congressional district, held by Rep. Cliff Bentz, are held by Democrats. Three Oregon congresspeople are running for reelection: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D), Rep. Maxine Dexter (D) and Rep. Janelle Bynum (D). 

Each questionnaire contained three questions and covered topics ranging from housing affordability to homelessness, labor and more. Candidates were limited to 150 words per answer. Candidates submitted written responses via email, and may be edited for clarity.
Street Roots did not include primaries in which a candidate is running unopposed, or in which there were no candidates at all. Read more about Street Roots elections coverage here.

District 1

Oregon’s first congressional district includes Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and portions of Washington and Multnomah counties. Incumbent Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D) is up against three competing candidates.

Democratic Primary

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

Yes. We must fix our broken tax system so everyone has a chance to get ahead and thrive. I oppose recent tax cuts for corporations and billionaires because they lead to working people paying more and the wealthiest paying less. We must repeal Trump’s tax cuts and implement progressive rather than regressive tax policy so those at the very top pay their fair share.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

Yes. ICE is terrorizing communities, ripping apart families, and violating due process rights. It’s inhumane and unacceptable.

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

The administration’s authoritarian attacks on human rights and democracy are serious and I know my constituents are counting on me to do everything I can to defend their rights. I am working to protect voting rights, including Oregon’s system of vote by mail, joining protests in the streets of Northwest Oregon and D.C., and working with constituents who have been illegally targeted by ICE to free them from detention. I have introduced legislation to protect individuals from this administration, including legislation to prohibit ICE enforcement in sensitive locations like schools, health care centers, places of worship and food banks. I also have legislation to prevent authoritarian policing tactics like ICE wearing masks when they kidnap people off the streets.

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

Yes.  However, I must clarify that such tax mechanisms already exist (AMT, NIIT, and progressive tax brackets).  The problem is that the money is getting spent on wars and other wasteful projects . The incumbent (Representative Suzane Bonamici) has voted for over $72 billion in military aid to Israel, Egypt and Jordan. In addition, she voted to fund Biden’s unauthorized Middle East War. I am running against her to stop funding unnecessary wars abroad. Those funds should be used for domestic programs or to reduce our deficit.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

Yes. However, it will need to be replaced with a new organization. ICE went to factories and farms armed with guns to arrest workers.  The new organization needs to go to factories and farms armed with work permits to get workers above the table. Replacing ICE with a new organization is (by itself) symbolic.  The important thing is to ensure the new organization has the correct policies.

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

The Constitution says that only Congress can declare war. The incumbent (Representative Suzane Bonamici) funded Biden’s unauthorized Middle East War (HR 8034 in 2024). It is difficult for Democrats to oppose unconstitutional acts by a Republican president when they did not oppose unconstitutional acts by a Democratic president. I will not give a pass to any president who violates the Constitution. Instead, I will work to repeal laws which allow for administrative warrants (clearly unconstitutional), and might be used to restrict a women’s right to abortion (i.e. the Comstock Act).  Representative Bonamici has been in office for over 14 years and has found the time to fund wars, but not repeal unconstitutional laws.

Republican Primary

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

Wealth inequality is not inherently unjust for most people, it reflects years of hard work, risk-taking and sacrifice. Punishing success through targeted wealth taxes sends the wrong message: that achievement is something to be penalized rather than aspired to.

America was built on the promise that anyone can rise. That promise inspires ambition. Envy should not drive tax policy, aspiration should.

Rather than extracting more from those who have succeeded, we should focus on removing barriers that prevent others from doing the same: cutting red tape, lowering small business taxes, and creating conditions where the next generation of entrepreneurs can thrive.

Reinvesting in public services starts with responsible spending, not punishing prosperity.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

No. I oppose abolishing ICE. I am not opposed to reforming its methods.

My friends who immigrated legally did everything right, and watching others bypass that process diminishes their sacrifice. That’s not just unfair, it’s demoralizing.

Under 8 U.S.C. § 1103 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324, federal law exists to protect our borders and penalize those who circumvent lawful entry. ICE enforces those statutes. Without enforcement, the law is meaningless.

Rather than abolition, I support accountability and reform within ICE, ensuring proper oversight while empowering agents to do their jobs. Legal immigrants deserve a system that honors their commitment to doing things the right way.

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

I honor the U.S. Constitution, so I start with the document itself.

Every American citizen, regardless of party, deserves protection under the Bill of Rights. Where I see legitimate constitutional tension, I will act:

**1st Amendment – Protecting free speech and religious liberty from government overreach

**4th Amendment – Ensuring due process in immigration enforcement (8 U.S.C. § 1357 limits warrantless arrests)

**10th Amendment – Defending Oregon’s reserved state powers

I won’t manufacture outrage, but I will hold any administration, including this one, accountable to the Constitution. My oath is to that document, not to any party or president.

First and foremost, healing Oregon’s divide, unifying others with compassion and understanding, is at the forefront of needs right now. We need to rebuild our economy and education programs to help EVERY Oregonian succeed, no matter their chosen path in life.

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

No, because everyone should pay the same percentage of their increase. Accordingly, a billionaire would pay a lot more than someone who is living from paycheck to paycheck, even though the percentages of their increases are equal. Likewise, I do not support unequal (progressive) access to justice either. I believe everybody should pay.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

No, because immigration is a federal responsibility. The federal (not a state) U.S. Department of State is responsible for issuing a passport to U.S. Citizens and a visa to a citizen or subject of another nation, if considered appropriate after a background check.

Public safety, however, is a local law enforcement responsibility. I am a strong proponent for maintaining the (elected) county Sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer. An (appointed by the mayor) police commissioner invariably corrupts law enforcement with a political agenda. The (elected) District Attorney also is a key official for preserving public safety as long as prosecutorial discretion is not abused. I hold officials accountable to a higher standard and as well expect a violent protester to personally sponsor someone financially who wishes to immigrate. 

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

Yes. Punish the lawbreaker and reward the victim, not the other way around. Public safety is the number one priority of any government and should not cost so much, whereby privileges granted to foreigners (such as issuing a work visa to a citizen or subject of another nation) ought to be distinguished from the U.S. Constitutional rights U.S. Citizens have. I believe we should be kind to non-U.S. Citizens but not kinder than to a U.S. spouse for example, as we reportedly have been in too many cases.

District 3

In District 3, which includes east Multnomah, Hood River and north Clackamas counties, incumbent Rep. Maxine Dexter (D) is running against two competing candidates. Andrew Castilleja did not provide answers. Street Roots made multiple efforts to contact each candidate.

Democratic Primary

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

Yes, I do. The wealth inequality in our country is out of control; we must rein in people like Musk and Bezos, who are profiting billions off of the exploitation of the American people. Our tax code must reflect our values. I support repealing Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill, restoring the top marginal rate, and ensuring corporations and millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share; including closing loopholes that allow profitable companies to pay nothing. Those resources should go directly back into our schools, workforce development, and community investments that strengthen Oregon’s middle class.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

Yes, I support abolishing ICE, completely dismantling it, and redirecting those funds to benefit immigrant communities instead of hurting them. I am driven to pass legislation ending child detention, assuring amnesty for immigrants, and to provide support to affected families, laborers, and wider communities. I have conducted relentless oversight of ICE during my time in federal office, introducing legislation like H.R. 5941, the Restoring Access for Detainees Act, traveling from Tacoma to Texas to El Salvador to help free more than fifteen kidnapped community members like the Crespo-Gonzalez family, and helping introduce H.Res. 996, impeaching Kristi Noem. Furthermore, on six occasions I have spoken on the House floor in protest of ICE’s horrific actions. Trump’s cruel immigration agenda is uprooting communities, threatening local economies, and leaving people terrified to live their lives. I will continue to show up for Oregon’s immigrant communities and those targeted by ICE.

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

This administration is systematically destroying our human and civil rights. To counter this, we must win back the majority, restore checks and balances, defend our democracy, and improve American lives. With over 40 town halls and robust constituent services, I have proven my commitment to listen to people’s lived experiences and perspectives, and turn that into action in Congress. As a physician for over two decades, I listened closely, analyzed data, and transformed complex information into actionable plans. I have a proven record of legislative success at the state and federal level, advancing large-scale, progressive, bipartisan policies.

During my first term here, I have thus far introduced thirteen pieces of legislation, and was the first freshman Democrat this Congress to have a bill become law. I am committed to working across the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation, a crucial skill for a productive member of the current minority party.

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

Yes. I support these efforts. Over the past several decades, the wealth gap has widened drastically, with billionaires amassing unprecedented fortunes while average wages have largely stagnated. This disparity is often the result of a tax code that disproportionately favors capital over labor, allowing the ultra-wealthy to pay a lower effective tax rate than working-class Americans. Implementing specific taxes on billionaires and large estates is a necessary step to correct this imbalance. By closing corporate loopholes and raising marginal rates on extreme wealth, we can generate crucial revenue. This money can then be reinvested into essential public services that benefit everyone, such as universal healthcare, affordable housing, clean energy, and improved public schools. Ultimately, requiring the wealthiest to contribute a fairer share lays the groundwork for a more equitable economy and ensures that everyone has a genuine shot at a thriving life.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

Yes, I support abolishing ICE. The agency’s current practices are financially wasteful, unnecessarily cruel, and fundamentally redundant. ICE operates with a skyrocketing budget, spending roughly $150 per person daily on detention, yet roughly 70 percent of those arrested have no criminal record. Instead of targeting actual threats, ICE frequently targets workers and long-time residents, separating families and traumatizing communities. Furthermore, ICE’s presence actively harms public safety; local police report that crime reporting drops when ICE operates in their areas due to community fear. The agency is also redundant, as border security, visas, and criminal investigations are already handled by CBP, USCIS, and the DOJ. By phasing out ICE, we can redirect billions of dollars toward humane, highly effective community-based case management, expand immigration court staffing, and create a system that respects due process while keeping families intact and communities safe.

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

To protect my constituents from the authoritarian threats posed by the current administration, I will pursue an aggressive legislative and legal strategy. First, I will fight to enforce strict legal accountability, shielding the Department of Justice from political interference and demanding independent prosecution for any attempts to undermine democratic institutions or weaponize the government. Second, I will not hesitate to use every constitutional tool available, including pursuing impeachment, enforcing congressional subpoenas, and applying Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, to prevent the erosion of civil liberties. Finally, I will proactively champion legislation to protect our elections and expand democratic participation. This includes strengthening the Electoral Count 

Act, criminalizing voter intimidation, restoring the Voting Rights Act, and establishing national vote-by-mail protections. Defending democracy is not a partisan issue; it is an urgent emergency and the absolute minimum requirement to keep our republic functioning and our citizens safe from autocratic overreach and political violence.

District 5

Incumbent Rep. Janelle Bynum is running for reelection in District 5, which includes portions of Clackamas, Deschutes, Jefferson, Linn, Marion and Multnomah Counties.

Bynum, Patti Adair and Johnathan Lockwood did not provide answers. Street Roots made multiple efforts to contact each candidate.

Democratic primary

Lawmakers throughout the country have proposed specific taxes on millionaires or billionaires in an effort to rein in wealth inequality and reinvest in public services. Do you support these efforts? 

Yes! I support legislation to reform our tax system for millionaires and billionaires, as well as large corporations. It’s common sense for those with the most disposable income to, at the bare minimum, be required to pay their fair share. While there are many options for tax reform, I would especially like to see the social security income tax cap raised or, ideally, removed and shifted into brackets. Working-class Oregonians shouldn’t have to struggle because of an unfair system.

I believe we also need to heavily reform tax credits available to corporations and the ultra-wealthy. For example, property tax exemptions in Oregon allow data centers to not only drain our utility grids, but also avoid paying taxes that should be supporting schools and other vital services.

Some lawmakers are calling to shutter Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after a series of in-custody deaths, legally dubious arrests and a skyrocketing budget. Do you support abolishing ICE?

Yes! I strongly support abolishing ICE; the impact on our communities has been devastating. While we need some form of immigration management, ICE simply cannot exist going forward. We must abolish ICE and create an agency–and an immigration system–that actually functions.

There are so many problems, it’s impossible to dig into them in a short-form piece, but some of them include the murder of multiple Americans, including Keith Porter, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and many more; the use of chemical weapons on peaceful protesters; unconstitutionally detaining, imprisoning, and deporting people without due process; the inhumane conditions, suspicious deaths, and shockingly high number of teen pregnancies in ICE detention centers; and on it goes. I can only imagine what we will discover when all is said and done. 

What proactive measures will you/are you taking to protect your constituents’ rights under threat from the current presidential administration?

I will introduce and support legislation to strengthen and expand protections and rights for the working class and marginalized communities. I will be an open communicator with my constituents and Americans in general via every means available, whether that be social media, press conferences, news features, or anything else. I will be an active participant in the community, supporting my constituents in whatever ways I can. And I will always speak truth to power and say what needs to be said, even when other representatives won’t.

This article appears in May 13, 2026.