Maxine Dexter beats Jayapal’s sister in Democratic primary for Oregon House seat

Maxine Dexter, Oregon State Representative for House District 33, left, and Susheela Jayapal, a former Multnomah County Commissioner, two of four Candidates running for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, take part in a debate held at the Hilton hotel in downtown Portland, Ore., on Thursday., April 11, 2024. (Dave Killen /The Oregonian via AP)

by: Caroline Vakil, The Hill

Posted: May 21, 2024 / 11:20 PM MDT

Updated: May 21, 2024 / 11:20 PM MDT

Oregon state Rep. Maxine Dexter (D) is projected to beat the sister of Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) in the Democratic primary for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Dexter, who’s also a doctor, beat Susheela Jayapal, the sister of the Washington Democrat and former Multnomah County commissioner, and six other Democrats for outgoing Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s (D-Ore.) seat. Blumenauer announced in October he would not be seeking reelection for his Portland-area seat.

Dexter has received endorsements largely from Democrats within the Beaver State, including former Govs. John Kitzhaber (D) and Ted Kulongoski (D), Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner (D) and Oregon Speaker of the House Julie Fahey (D), among others.

Meanwhile, Jayapal had received national endorsements from national progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), her sister and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), among others.

Given the district’s heavy Democratic leanings, Dexter is the heavy favorite to win in November.