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Last week, U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) came to WW’s offices to seek endorsement of her reelection bid for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. While here, we asked her about the Portland City Council, which has become increasingly divided since the 12 members took office in January 2025.
Bynum shared some candid thoughts about their conduct, and said she’s met with a number of them one-on-one.
“Number one: Having some decorum on camera is important. Portland is our flagship city. The state will not rise if Portland does not rise, and the people in charge of Portland must rise to the occasion,” Bynum said. “It cannot be about social media. It cannot be about likes. It cannot be about obstruction.”
It’s unusual for a sitting congressperson representing a segment of Portland to harshly criticize city officials, but Bynum said the conduct of local elected leaders could very well make her efforts to deliver federal aid to her district harder.
Bynum said that when local elected officials—not just city councilors—are “erratic in your rule-making, if you are pompous in the way that you talk with people,” that conduct makes it harder for businesses to come to Portland or stay there.
“I can’t go to D.C. if we are acting crazy here in Oregon,” she said. “I can’t bring home money. I can’t make us more attractive for investments.”
You can watch her response below.
