Lori Chavez-DeRemer
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) was appointed Secretary of Labor by President Trump in 2025 after winning Oregon's 5th Congressional District in 2022 and losing re-election in 2024.
- As Labor Secretary, she oversees the Department of Labor's 15,000+ employees, wage and hour enforcement, unemployment insurance, and OSHA workplace safety regulations.
- She was notable as one of the few House Republicans to support the PRO Act (union organizing reform) during her congressional tenure, reflecting OR-5's more labor-friendly suburban districts.
- Her appointment was backed by major labor unions including the Teamsters, who saw her labor-friendly record as a positive signal for worker interests in the Trump administration.
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Born in Roseburg, Oregon; grew up in the Willamette Valley region |
| 1990s | Business career in Happy Valley, Oregon area (Clackamas County) |
| 2018 | Elected Mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon; first elected office |
| 2020 | Ran for OR-5 and lost to Democratic incumbent Kurt Schrader in primary? No — ran in general election |
| 2022 | Won OR-5 Republican primary; defeated incumbent Democrat Kurt Schrader in general election — a major upset in a D-leaning district |
| 2023 | Sworn into 118th Congress; notable for being one of only a few House Republicans to support PRO Act (union bill) |
| 2024 | Nominated by President-elect Trump to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor; unusual pick given her pro-labor record |
| 2025 | Confirmed by Senate as Secretary of Labor; resigns from House, leaving OR-5 vacant |
| 2026 | OR-5 open seat race; Democrats target as pickup opportunity in competitive suburban Oregon district |
Policy Positions
| Issue | Position | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| Labor/Unions | Unusual R pro-labor stance | One of very few House Republicans to support PRO Act (union organizing protection); reason Trump picked her for Labor |
| Economy | Pro-worker R | Supported higher wages and worker protections while opposing Democratic regulatory agenda |
| Immigration | Conservative | Supported stronger border enforcement; aligned with Republican mainstream on border policy |
| Healthcare | Repeal/replace ACA | Voted with Republican caucus on healthcare; supported market-based alternatives |
| Agriculture | Oregon farming interests | Willamette Valley agriculture; supported farm subsidies, rural economic policies |
| Bipartisanship | Moderate R profile | Willingness to work across aisle on select labor issues set her apart from House Republican conference |
Happy Valley Mayor to Congress to Cabinet
Lori Chavez-DeRemer grew up in Oregon and entered politics as Mayor of Happy Valley in Clackamas County. Her 2022 win over incumbent Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader was a notable upset in a district that had leaned Democratic. She distinguished herself in Congress as one of the very few House Republicans to support the PRO Act, a major union-rights bill — an unusual stance that made her attractive to Trump as a Labor Secretary pick who could appeal to union households while serving a Republican administration.
Suburban Portland to Salem — Competitive Terrain
OR-5 covers the southern Portland suburbs (Clackamas County), portions of the Willamette Valley, and reaches toward Salem. The district has suburban, rural, and small-city populations. It voted narrowly for Biden in 2020 and has elected both parties. Without Chavez-DeRemer's incumbent advantage, it reverts to a pure toss-up, with Democrats considering it a top-priority pickup opportunity to help reclaim the House majority.
Trump’s Unusual Labor Pick
Trump's selection of Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary surprised many political observers given her pro-union record — see Trump approval polling for working-class trends. The pick was seen as an attempt to appeal to working-class voters who had shifted toward Trump, particularly in union-heavy industrial states. Her Senate confirmation required bipartisan support. As Secretary, she oversees OSHA, wage enforcement, and federal labor relations. Her departure created an important House 2026 open seat. Track the generic ballot for the national environment shaping that race.
Electoral History
| Year | Race | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | OR-5 OPEN SEAT (Chavez-DeRemer left for cabinet) | Competitive open seat race — D pickup target | Toss-Up |
| 2022 | OR-5 vs Kurt Schrader (D, incumbent) | Chavez-DeRemer 50.7% — Janelle Bynum (D) 49.3% | R +1.4 |
| 2018 | Happy Valley Mayor re-election | Won re-election as Mayor of Happy Valley, OR | Uncontested |
