Janelle Bynum

Janelle S. Bynum (born 1974/75) is an American Democratic politician currently serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She represents the 51st district, which covers southern Multnomah County and northern Clackamas County, including the southeasternmost part of Portland, most of Happy Valley and Damascus, and the surrounding area.

Janelle Bynum
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 51st district
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded byShemia Fagan
Personal details
Born1974/1975 (age 45–46)
Washington, D.C.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materFlorida A&M University (BA)
University of Michigan (MA)

Early life and education

Bynum grew up in Washington, D.C..[1][2] She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University in 1996 and with a master's degree from the University of Michigan in 2000.[3]

Career

Bynum won the Democratic primary for the state House in 2016 over Randy Shannon, a former member of the Damascus City Council, receiving 66% of the vote.[4] In the general election, she defeated Republican candidate Lori Chavez-Deremer, the mayor of Happy Valley, with 51% of the vote in what was considered one of the most competitive House races for the 2016 cycle.[5][6][7][8]

Bynum, who is black, was reported to the police as a "suspicious person" while canvassing a neighborhood in her district in 2018.[9]

Personal life

Bynum and her husband, Mark, have four children. They own two restaurants in the area. She is a Christian.[1][3][10]

References
  1. "State Representative Janelle Bynum". Democratic Party of Oregon. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  2. Jaquiss, Nigel (October 18, 2016). "Janelle Bynum Brought Family Leave to East Portland McDonald's Workers". Willamette Week. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  3. "Janelle Bynum's Biography". Project VoteSmart. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  4. "Democrats pick Janelle Bynum to challenge Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer for HD51". Portland Tribune. May 18, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  5. "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  6. Sevcenko, Melanie (January 12, 2017). "State Representative Janelle Bynum Breaks Records, Barriers". The Skanner. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  7. Jaquiss, Nigel (November 9, 2016). "Oregon's Most Expensive House Race Will End With Narrow Victory for Janelle Bynum". Willamette Week. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  8. Lehman, Chris (October 31, 2016). "The Road To Legislative Control In Oregon Leads Through The Suburbs". Northwest News Network. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  9. Zaveri, Mihir (5 July 2018). "A Black Oregon Lawmaker Was Knocking on Doors. Someone Called the Police". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  10. Greenidge, Jomo (March 13, 2016). "Janelle Bynum announces candidacy for the Oregon Legislature in House District 51". Black PDX. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
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