Oregonians continued to fill congressional town halls over the weekend, as voters continue to search for guidance and answers amid a whirlwind month for national politics.
More than 1,000 people crammed into Centennial High School in Gresham on Saturday to see U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, who was hosting her first solo, in-person town hall since her election last year. Extra bleachers had to be pulled out to make room. Many attendees still had to sit on the floor after every seat was filled.
U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter addresses a crowded town hall at Centennial High School in Gresham, Ore., on March 1, 2025. Town halls have garnered national attention since President Donald Trump's second term began.
Joni Land / OPB
Town halls have drawn national attention in recent weeks, with huge crowds reacting to President Donald Trump’s flurry of cuts and executive orders. For many Republicans, that’s led to angry criticisms in response to Trump’s mass layoffs at federal agencies. And for Democrats, there have been critiques that their party hasn’t done enough to respond.
Erika von Kampen of Portland was one of hundreds who filled the stand and said she — like many other Oregonians — is hoping Democrats take a firmer stand against the Trump administration.
“I’ve been calling and messaging (Dexter’s) office every day for the past month, asking her to take more drastic action than she is,” Von Kampen said. “I think we’re running out of road right now.”
Members of the audience sit on the floor, listening to U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter. Thousands came to here the freshman representative speak.
Joni Land / OPB
Dexter acknowledged that many of her constituents want a more aggressive approach; her office is receiving thousands of phone calls. But she cautioned against Democrats trying to shut down the federal government, which some have speculated could be a negotiating tactic against Trump’s spending cuts.
“That is absolutely the worst possible outcome for this,” she said. “Make no mistake: if the government shuts down, all of us are harmed.”
Related: Oregon Coast residents pack congressional town hall, hoping for answers
Other speakers asked questions regarding Ukraine, in light of Trump’s explosive Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as protections for immigrants and potential cuts to Medicaid.
Another attendee, Violet Bair, asked Dexter what she was doing to reach out across party lines in response to what she viewed as an existential threat to the U.S. Constitution.
“I need to know that you’re aware that this is the time to consider drastic action,” Bair said.
After she spoke, the crowd went into an uproar, with many chanting, “Fight back!” Many seemed overcome with emotion.
People chant "fight back" at the town hall.
Joni Land / OPB
Dexter said she has talked with Republicans, but that it’s not an easy sell.
“These are good people that want to serve their communities,” Dexter said of her Republican colleagues. “They have people in their communities who are showing up like you, and are telling them to make a courageous choice and that is what they need to do.”
Dexter told reporters before the town hall that Democrats “are doing everything we can.” That’s mostly through litigating Trump’s policy in the courts and attempting to write opposing bills, even if they lack widespread support, she said.
“It’s important for people to know that we’re fighting for them,” she said.
More than 1,000 people attended U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter's town hall.
Joni Land / OPB
