Oregon Congressional Candidates Raise Over $2.4 Million This Quarter

Candidates seeking election to the U.S. Congress in Oregon raised more than $2.4 million during the third quarter of this year, covering the period from July 1 to September 30. These financial disclosures were submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by the October 15 deadline, as mandated for all congressional candidates.

Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat serving since 2009, led Oregon’s congressional delegation in fundraising efforts this quarter. He reported raising $818,000 and spending $364,000, leaving him with $5.1 million in campaign funds, largely accrued from previous cycles. In contrast, fellow Democratic Senator Ron Wyden is not up for reelection until 2028.

Funding Overview for Congressional Candidates

All six of Oregon’s U.S. House representatives are expected to run for reelection. They include Democrats Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas, as well as Republican Cliff Bentz. Incumbents have until March 3 to file, while challengers must do so by March 10 for the May 2026 primary.

Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, which stretches from Bend to Portland, proved to be one of the most competitive in the last election. Bynum secured her seat with 47.7% of the vote, closely followed by her opponent, Lori Chavez-Deremer, who garnered 45%. As Bynum prepares for reelection, her campaign raised nearly $700,000 this quarter and spent $164,000. She has approximately $1.4 million remaining in her campaign fund. Currently, one Republican challenger, Jonathan Lockwood, has filed to run against her but has not yet reported any financial activity.

Salinas, representing the 6th Congressional District, raised $277,000 and spent $137,000, leaving her with $470,000 available. At least one Republican, David Russ, has filed to challenge her, though he has not reported any fundraising for the third quarter.

Competitive Districts and Incumbent Strategies

Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, represented by Hoyle, remains another competitive area. In the previous election, Hoyle won with 51.7% of the vote against Republican Monque DeSpain, who received 43.9%. This quarter, Hoyle’s campaign raised $238,000 and spent $125,000, maintaining a balance of $348,000. DeSpain is set to challenge her again in 2026, although he has not reported any financial contributions to date.

In more secure districts, Bonamici, Dexter, and Bentz each won their respective races with over 60% of the vote. Bonamici raised $116,000 and spent $106,000, leaving her with $517,000 in campaign funds and no declared opponents thus far. Dexter, in the 3rd Congressional District, raised about $151,000 and spent $168,000, reporting $172,000 remaining. Bentz, representing the 2nd District in eastern and southern Oregon, raised $184,000 and spent $100,000, with $1.2 million still available for his campaign.

As the political landscape in Oregon evolves, candidates and their strategies will shape the dynamics leading into the 2026 elections. For further details on candidacies in the upcoming election, residents can visit the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.