Jamie McLeod-Skinner beats seven-term incumbent Rep. Kurt Schrader in 5th District

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - Jamie McLeod-Skinner won the democratic nomination for Oregon’s fifth congressional district, according to the Associated Press which called the race Friday morning.

She beat Representative Kurt Schrader who’s served seven terms in that seat.

The Associated Press called the race Friday morning.

This is the first time in more than 40 years that a sitting member of Congress was voted out in an Oregon primary election.

“I think it sets the tone and sets the pace for elections across our country that its gotta be about connecting with voters, respecting voters, talking about the issues,” McLeod-Skinner said. “When we’re at our best we focus not on the buzzwords, not on the politics, but on the challenges we’re facing and how we work together to overcome those challenges.”

The race took more than a week to call because of delays counting votes in Clackamas County.

Our FOX 12 political analyst John Horvick said this win shows democratic voters have become more progressive in that district.

“Particularly around issues that got Kurt Schrader into trouble around prescription medication, I think is really the big one. Democratic voters are much more open to things like Medicare for All, negotiation for prescription drugs in Medicare,” Horvick said.

McLeod-Skinner will be up against Republican nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the general election.

“We want a vibrant economy we want a safe place to raise our families we want to make sure the kids can go to school in a safe environment and learn what we expect them to learn,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

The fifth district was recently re-drawn, now spanning southeast and into more central parts of the state.

“2022 could really be an inflection point in Oregon and this district is part of that story,” Horvick said.

Each of these two candidates is from a different part of that district.

“It’s a close district with registration. It’s probably a favorable environment for Republicans but we have two candidates who aren’t well known to the voters and it will provide a sharp contrast for them going forward,” Horvick said.

Needless to say, this will likely be a tight race come fall.

Schrader released the following statement on Friday night:

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this campaign. My team, voters, countless volunteers, President Biden, and my family have all been there for me and worked so hard on behalf of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. Thank you for your passion and hard work.

I congratulate my opponent on her tireless efforts and successful primary campaign.

It has been my honor to serve as Representative for Oregon’s 5th congressional district for these past 14 years. We have had some great successes, just in the past year. No longer will the entrance to Tillamook Bay be a hazard. The Aurora Donald interchange on I-5 will be rebuilt and much safer. The Willamette Locks look to once again be a historic economic opportunity for our region. And, we have been extremely successful in getting FEMA to step up in a huge way for the folks in the Santiam Canyon whose lives were devastated by the fires that engulfed their communities in 2020.

In the ensuing 6 months I look forward to continuing to serve our constituent needs whether it be veterans benefits, Social Security, IRS, student loans and whatever we can do to make your government work for you.

We need to make sure the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law rolls out according to plan, that civil and voting rights are protected and that access to reproductive healthcare is protected. We need to bring back much of our supply chain back to America and American workers; and we need to ensure we get prescription drug negotiation across the finish line – something I have fought for and will continue to push through the remainder of the year. And we must support freedom around the world with our friends and allies.

Oregon’s Fifth is a diverse district - geographically, economically, and politically. It is a microcosm of our state and our country. I have striven to represent the entire district regardless of party affiliation, be a fiscally responsible voice of moderation, and worked across the aisle to bring our State and Country together. This is who I am and how I have served Oregon for over 25 years in elected office. The majority of Democrats have chosen a different direction for now. I do hope that at some point in time, working together as representatives of our respective districts, we find common ground instead of promoting an ideological agenda that can come back into vogue in both the Democrat and Republican parties. Our state and our country desperately need to be more unified in these difficult times ahead.”

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