Dr. Maxine Dexter, a physician and state representative, emerged victorious in a contentious Democratic primary in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District. The seat, currently held by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, is considered a solid Democratic seat that includes most of Portland. Dexter, a mainstream progressive, defeated other contenders like Gresham city council member Eddy Morales and Susheela Jayapal, a former Multnomah County commissioner and sister of Rep. Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal, the runner-up, was endorsed by prominent progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
As the campaign progressed, Dexter received significant support from big-money super PACs and pro-Israel donors. A Democratic super PAC, 314 Action Fund, spent $2.2 million promoting Dexter, while another group, Voters for Responsive Government, spent $3.2 million attacking Jayapal on her handling of the homelessness issue during her tenure on the Multnomah County commission. Dexter’s success in fundraising and support from outside groups played a crucial role in her victory in the primary.
Despite Jayapal’s ties to prominent progressives and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, her campaign did not receive as much outside support as Dexter’s did. The Impact Fund, a group supporting Indian-American candidates, spent nearly $160,000 in support of Jayapal, but it was outweighed by the significant spending in favor of Dexter. The disparity in outside support, combined with Dexter’s surge in fundraising, ultimately benefited her campaign.
Notably, Dexter’s campaign also attracted attention for its ties to pro-Israel donors with connections to AIPAC. Dexter raised significant funds from these donors, drawing criticism from Jayapal’s camp, which suggested that Dexter’s stance on Israel might be influenced by her donors. Jayapal ran on a more progressive platform, advocating for Medicare for All and a permanent cease-fire in Israel’s conflict with Gaza. In contrast, Dexter’s positions were more moderate, focusing on working toward a single-payer healthcare system and calling for a cease-fire that includes the return of Israeli hostages.
The ideological differences between Jayapal and Dexter underscored the broader divisions within the Democratic Party, with Jayapal aligning more closely with the progressive wing and Dexter positioned as a mainstream progressive. Jayapal’s campaign raised concerns about Dexter’s ties to pro-Israel donors with Republican connections, suggesting that Dexter’s values might be influenced by these interests. Dexter’s colleagues in the state legislature countered these claims, emphasizing her reputation as a principled and independent legislator who would not be swayed by special interests.
Overall, Dexter’s victory in the primary highlighted the role of outside spending, super PAC support, and donor influence in shaping the outcome of the race. The contest between Dexter and Jayapal illustrated the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party, where candidates must navigate competing interests and ideological differences to secure electoral success. The implications of this primary race extend beyond Oregon, reflecting broader debates within the party over issues like healthcare, foreign policy, and campaign finance.
