A bad sign for national Republicans in Oregon

No More Swing Districts in Oregon?

Oregon’s one swing district — the 5th Congressional District — looks like it won’t see a competitive race this year as first-term Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum seeks reelection. Republicans have failed to recruit a candidate with solid name recognition in Clackamas County, the largest population center. It’s part of a national trend: Congressional Republicans are facing an uphill battle, given President Trump’s low approval numbers. [Oregonian]

• Related: U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s security guard is now on leave during an investigation into her possible use of federal funds to travel for personal business. Before her appointment to Trump’s Cabinet, Chavez-DeRemer was a one-term Republican congresswoman from the district; she lost her reelection bid to Bynum. [Oregonian]

Former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley Running for Governor

Former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley has entered the race to challenge incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek in this year’s election. Dudley ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010, and joins a robust Republican field that includes the 2022 Republican nominee, state Sen. Christine Drazan. Dudley cited the state of public schools, homelessness, and the business climate as issues that inspired his reentry into politics. [Oregonian]

Suspect Arrested in Shooting of 2 Portland Police Officers

After a nearly week-long manhunt, Portland police arrested a man on Southeast 82nd Avenue suspected of shooting two officers last week. Eric Floyd Oelkers, 41, was previously convicted on a firearms charge and still faces charges stemming from a protest over the defeat of President Trump in the 2020 election. He was charged with a bias crime in Salem for alleged vandalism of a Black-owned restaurant. [Oregonian]

Oregon Responds to Second Minnesota Shooting

State and local elected officials condemned Saturday’s shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by a federal agent. Portland City Council President Jamie Dunphy and Mayor Wilson said in a statement that it “is the latest deadly result of an administration that uses American cities as a ‘training ground’ for ‘full force.'” Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters marched at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency building in South Waterfront over the weekend. [OPB]