A critical congressional race in Oregon’s 5th District has been thrown into turmoil following an ethics complaint filed against Democratic candidate Janelle Bynum. The complaint accuses Bynum of failing to report sexual assault allegations involving a minor volunteer during her 2022 state representative campaign, a serious charge that threatens to undermine her bid for Congress. The allegations, tied to an individual working with a political action committee (PAC) affiliated with Bynum’s campaign, have sparked significant controversy.
The complaint, lodged with Oregon's Legislative Equity Office, alleges that Bynum engaged in a "willful cover-up" of the incident, failing to take appropriate action as a mandatory reporter under state law. Furthermore, critics argue that Bynum not only failed to report the allegations but may have attempted to intimidate the person who raised the issue. Bynum’s campaign, however, denies these claims, asserting that the allegations were taken seriously and reported to Future PAC after the election.
How is Molly Woon the Director of Elections able to also previously be the Communications Director of the Oregon Democratic Party? She lists herself as a lobbyist for them too. We are hiring lobbyist with agendas now in the elections office? I am filing an ethics complaint.… pic.twitter.com/N48iCyx1cr
— PDX Real (@PDXReal1) September 27, 2024
Bynum, a state legislator and key Democratic figure, is running against incumbent Republican Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer in a high-stakes race that could tip the balance of power in the House. Bynum’s supporters have pointed fingers at Future PAC and Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey, accusing them of neglecting human resource issues. Despite the mounting accusations, Bynum has retained strong backing from her base, which maintains confidence in her leadership and commitment to Oregonians.
State police are reportedly investigating the complaint, though they have not provided specific details. Text messages obtained from the campaign staff suggest that Bynum's response to the allegations lacked urgency, further fueling concerns over her handling of the situation. Critics have also pointed to Bynum's record of voting against legislation aimed at extending the statute of limitations for rape victims, raising additional questions about her stance on sexual assault issues.
Oregon Democrat House Candidate Accused of Covering up ‘Sexual Assault of a Minor’ in Ethics Complaint https://t.co/q4b31T99ji
— Shirlee Baner (@ShirleeBaner) October 9, 2024
This ethics complaint comes at a critical juncture for Bynum, as the race for Oregon’s 5th District is widely viewed as one of the most competitive in the country. The district, which was narrowly won by Chavez-DeRemer in the last election, is a target for Democrats looking to regain a foothold. As the scandal unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Bynum can weather the storm and salvage her campaign.
Bynum's camp continues to deny any wrongdoing, emphasizing that no formal investigation by the Legislative Equity Office has been launched. Despite this, the complaint remains a significant hurdle in her campaign, with opponents seizing on the controversy to paint Bynum as unfit for office.
As the race intensifies, this ethical cloud could sway undecided voters, potentially giving Chavez-DeRemer a political advantage. Republicans are keen to maintain their hold on the district, and the ethics allegations against Bynum have given them fresh ammunition in what was already expected to be a fiercely contested race. Both candidates are vying to secure the moderate and independent voters that will likely decide the outcome in November.
The fallout from this complaint could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Bynum's candidacy, but also for Democratic hopes of reclaiming the seat. With the election fast approaching, both sides are bracing for a tough fight in the final weeks.
