politics

What The Midterms Could Mean For Oregon’s Delegation

By Julie Sabatier (OPB) and Cydney Grannan (OPB)
Nov. 2, 2018 11:15 p.m.

One big question looms for Democrats on this Election Day: Will they take control of the House of Representatives?

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
Become a Sponsor

Related: OPB's 2018 Midterm Election Ballot Guide

Vox politics reporter Tara Golshan and OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes joined "Think Out Loud" to discuss the effect on Oregon if that happens. If it does, Golshan said Democrats will need to decide how much energy to put toward policy wins and how much to put toward holding Trump accountable.

RELATED: Live Oregon and Washington 2018 midterm election results.

Representatives from all five districts in Oregon are up for reelection, and while one is being seriously contested, the incumbents are likely to win. Here's how the changes in Washington, D.C., could affect the members of Oregon's delegation if reelected.

1. Peter DeFazio, the longest sitting Oregon representative, could have the most to gain from the Democrats taking control of the house, according to Mapes. He would become the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, a panel that's had a successful track record for moving projects along with a divided Congress.

2. Earl Blumenauer, the incumbent Democrat representing Oregon's 3rd Congressional District, will also focus on infrastructure. He is trying to convince House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to create a Ways and Means subcommittee on infrastructure that he would chair.

Blumenauer could also focus on cannabis legalization. A founding member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, he has already released a detailed memo to the House Democratic leadership on legalizing marijuana at the federal level.

3. Greg Walden, Oregon's lone Republican representing the sprawling 2nd Congressional District, could lose his seat to Democratic challenger Jamie McLeod-Skinner if the blue wave is really strong. But Walden has staying power. He's served the 2nd District since 1999.

Walden also chairs the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. While he would no longer be chairman of the committee if Republicans lose the House, he would still be the ranking member. Also, Walden has a good relationship with President Donald Trump.

“He’s one person who has a line into the White House from the state,” Mapes said.

4. The representative for Oregon's 5th Congressional District, Kurt Schrader, is a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats in the House. Schrader has been vocal about his opposition to Nancy Pelosi and will likely push for new House leadership.

5. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici from Oregon's 1st District would likely be picked to lead a subcommittee on either the Education and Workforce Committee or the Science, Space and Technology Committee. If Democrats are in the majority, Bonamici would join other legislators to push Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on her regulation of for-profit colleges.

6. Sen. Jeff Merkley has made indications that he will run for president. Merkley is up for reelection in 2020. Oregon's deadline to file for reelection is late enough that Merkley could run in New Hampshire and Iowa before committing to Senate reelection.

“He’s a long shot,” said Mapes.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
Become a Sponsor

OPB Election Coverage 2018

Live Results

General

Oregon Gubernatorial Candidates

Oregon Ballot Measures

Portland Metro Ballot Measures

Portland City Council Race

Central Oregon

Washington

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
Become a Sponsor
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
Become a Sponsor

Streaming Now

BBC Outlook

Switch Stream: