PORTLAND, Ore. — Metro Council President Lynn Peterson, head of Portland area's regional government, announced Tuesday that she is withdrawing from the Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District.
"After careful consideration and consultation with my loved ones, advisors, and supporters, I've made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for Congress," Peterson said.
Her decision to withdraw now sets up a head-to-head competition between Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Happy Valley) and Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Oregon's largest voting district. The 5th Congressional District stretches from the south end of Portland to Bend, covering parts of Clackamas, Deschutes, Jefferson, Linn, Marion and Multnomah County.
Peterson had raised $260,000 by the end of last year for her campaign, far less than the approximately $439,000 that both McLeod-Skinner and Bynum secured, The Oregonian reported.
She also announced on Tuesday that she is endorsing Bynum in the race. Peterson called Bynum the best candidate to take on sitting U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the November election. Bynum has twice defeated Chavez-DeRemer in legislative races.
"I entered this race as the first Democrat because I was alarmed by the MAGA extremism of Lori Chavez-DeRemer and the Republican House Majority," Peterson said. "Oregon's 5th District is pivotal to restoring sensible leadership to Washington, DC."
McLeod-Skinner, Bynum's remaining opponent in the primary, narrowly lost to Chavez-DeRemer in 2022 after managing an upset win over longtime Democratic incumbent Kurt Schrader in the primary that year.
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