PORTLAND, Ore. — Another major contender has announced her bid for the soon-to-be vacant seat of longtime Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Dr. Maxine Dexter, currently an Oregon state representative from Portland's west side, announced Tuesday morning that she'll throw her hat into the ring.
"I'm thrilled to share my commitment to making a difference on a larger scale as I announce my candidacy for Congress in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District!" Dexter wrote in a tweet. "It’s a privilege to serve Oregon & I have proven myself to be an effective, pragmatic & progressive policymaker in Salem."
Blumenauer announced at the end of October that he will not run for reelection in 2024, ending his career in Congress after 14 terms — 28 years. His 3rd Congressional District covers much of Portland and Multnomah County, all of Hood River County and parts of Clackamas County — an area that's been solidly for Democrats (and solidly for Blumenauer) for decades.
Since Blumenauer's announcement, several prominent Democrats have announced their intent to run for the seat in 2024. Abruptly resigning her seat on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Susheela Jayapal was first to announce her campaign. She was followed soon after by Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales.
Dexter, also a Democrat, joins what is proving to be an increasingly competitive primary next year.
In the Oregon Legislature, Dexter co-chairs the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness and serves on several other committees, including the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. In this year's legislative session, she co-sponsored a bill aimed at making the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone more widely accessible. The bill passed and was signed into law in August.
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