Democrat Candidates Running for Office
Representing Oregon in U.S. Congress
Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator of Oregon (incumbent)
Suzanne Bonamici
U.S. Representative, District 1 (incumbent)
Oregon State Executive Branch
★★ Oregon State Legislature: FOCUS FOUR 2020 ★★
The Republican walkouts of 2019 and 2020 inspired a lot of people to run for office. That’s what Lynnette Shaw was motivated to do.
Lynette Shaw is a targeted race. Republicans do not want to lose this seat. She is up against aggressive conservative funding.
Courtney Neron
State Representative, District 26 (incumbent)
For most incumbents, their first re-election is their toughest race. That’s where Courtney is this year. Neron is one of the Republican’s top-priority targeted recovery races in the state. Republicans had not expected to lose this seat in 2018, and they want it back.
Candidate Debbie Boothe-Schmidt is in an underfunded race to retain this volatile seat against the timber-funded Republicans.
If Democrats are able to mobilize in this district that goes from Astoria to Banks we will be able to hold on to this seat, but this is a tough race that needs our dedication and energy!
Incumbent Rachel Prusak is, like Neron, in a targeted race where money is no object for the Republicans to recover this seat.
In 2018 Rachel Prusak defeated well known Republican incumbent Julie Parrish. It took a lot of door-knocking, calls, and texts. we cannot take this seat for granted!
Why Are They Key Races?
Why are some of our Dem races considered key or critical?
Much of understanding comes from polling, fundraising, and the actual year. Three of these legislative seats we’re only won in 2018, so they have a lot of attention from Republicans. They are looking to gain those seats back.
Every seat is important in order to maintain our supermajority, but as you can imagine there are some districts that are solid blue, and some that are bluish-purple; meaning if we don’t fight for every vote and get high turnout, we could easily slip back and lose the seat again.
For our two incumbents, these seats are considered at risk for this reason. We have to pay close attention, volunteer, make phone calls and donate. Do whatever we can to help these candidates get reelected.
Debbie is in a particularly unique situation because the seat was won in 2018 by Tiffiny Mitchell, a Democrat, but she and her family will be moving out of state. Debbie has to maintain the seat for Democrats while being new to the playing field. She needs you! Help her help Democrats keep this seat!
Lynette is considered a bit of an uphill battle, but, because of the walkouts that all Oregonians witnessed from Republicans, we do have a shot at the seat. Lynette is intelligent, well-spoken, and knows how to connect with her voters. If we can put enough focus and energy towards this campaign, we may be able to flip one more seat to add to our supermajority.
In order for Oregon to continue to lead as a beacon of progressive values, it is important to hold that supermajority. What became clear and in 2019 was that even with a supermajority, the Republicans can walk out when they don’t like something. When they walk out … we cannot conduct business. The more seats held by Democrats, the less of a weapon the walkout can be against our commitment to Progressive values.
It comes down to defending our incumbents that get targeted by the GOP and interest groups, and seeking to expand the map as the electorate continues to become more progressive.
Meet Our Newest Democratic Candidates
Bernadette Hansen 
State Senator, District 12
Wlnsvey Campos
State Representative, District 28
Dacia Grayber
State Representative, District 35
New Candidates
The candidates running for these positions are all first-time candidates and will be new to government legislature. In some cases, we are looking to fill the seat of a recently retired elected, or, we are trying to flip a Republican seat. As soon as you get your ballot– vote and vote early! We want to hold on to the districts we have, and let’s flip two more seats!
Keep it blue!
Sheri Schouten
State Representative
District 27
Zip Codes: 97005, 97008, 97223,
97225, 97007
What to know: Incumbent, running
against a Republican candidate.
Susan McLain
State Representative
District 29
Zip Codes: 97113, 97116, 97123, 97124
What to know: Incumbent, running
against a Republican candidate.
Janeen Sollman
State Representative
District 30
Zip Codes:97006, 97106, 97113,
97116, 97123, 97124, 97133, 97229
What to know: Incumbent, running
against a Republican candidate.
Brad Witt
State Representative
District 31
Zip Codes: 97109, 97124, 97133,
97144, 97229, 97106
What to know: Incumbent, running
against a Republican candidate.
Maxine Dexter
State Representative
District 33
Zip Codes: 97005, 97006, 97225,
97229
What to know: Incumbent, running
against a Republican candidate.
Ken Helm
State Representative
District 34
Zip Codes: 97005, 97006, 97124,
97225, 97229
What to know: Incumbent
(unopposed)
Ginny Burdick
State Senator
District 18
Zip Codes: 97007,97201,97204,
97205, 97209, 97210, 97219, 97221,
97223, 97224, 97239
What to know: Incumbent
(unopposed)