Lori Michelle Chavez-DeRemer(/ˈɑːvɛzdəˈrmər/;néeChávez;born April 7, 1968)[1]is an American politician serving as theU.S. representativeforOregon's 5th congressional districtsince 2023.[2]A member of theRepublican Party,Chavez-DeRemer served as mayor ofHappy Valley, Oregon,from 2011 to 2019.

Lori Chávez-DeRemer
United States Secretary of Labor
Presumptive nominee
Assuming office
TBD
PresidentDonald Trump(elect)
SucceedingJulie Su(acting)
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromOregon's5thdistrict
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byKurt Schrader
Succeeded byJanelle Bynum(elect)
Mayor ofHappy Valley
In office
January 18, 2011 – January 15, 2019
Preceded byRob Wheeler
Succeeded byTom Ellis
Personal details
Born
Lori Michelle Chávez

(1968-04-07)April 7, 1968(age 56)
Santa Clara, California,U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseShawn DeRemer
Children2
EducationCalifornia State University, Fresno(BBA)
WebsiteHouse website

She is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the House. Additionally, she is one of the first twoHispanicwomen (alongsideAndrea Salinas) elected to theUnited States Congressfrom Oregon. Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the House before being defeated in 2024 by DemocratJanelle Bynum.

On November 22, 2024, President-electDonald Trumpnominated Chavez-DeRemer as hisSecretary of Labor.[3]

Early life and education

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Born inSanta Clara,Chavez-DeRemer grew up inHanfordand graduated fromHanford High Schoolin 1986.[4][5]She earned a bachelor's degree inbusiness administrationfromCalifornia State University, Fresno.[6]

Early political career

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Chavez-DeRemer was elected to the city council ofHappy Valley, Oregon,in 2004.[5]She was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. She served as mayor until 2018.[7]

In 2016, after incumbentShemia Faganopted not to seek reelection to her seat inOregon House District 51,Chavez-DeRemer filed to run as a Republican, and won the primary unopposed.[8]She lost by 564 votes to restaurateurJanelle Bynumin the November general election, in what was the most expensive state House race in Oregon of 2016.[9][10]

In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed apolitical action committeeto explore a gubernatorial bid in2018.[11]In October 2017, she announced in a YouTube video that she would not run for governor, clearing the primary for eventual nomineeKnute Buehler.[12][13]

In March 2018, Chavez-DeRemer announced her intention to again run for House District 51.[14]She was unopposed in the Republican primary. She again lost to Bynum, by 2,223 votes.[15][16]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2022

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Chavez-DeRemer won the May 2022 Republican primary forOregon's 5th congressional district.The district, which had been represented for seven terms by moderate DemocratKurt Schrader,was significantly altered in redistricting after Oregon gained a House seat. It lost its share of the Pacific coastline and the state capital ofSalem,but stretched further south to gain rapidly-growingBend.Schrader lost the Democratic primary to progressiveJamie McLeod-Skinnerand refused to endorse her in the general election.

Chavez-DeRemer defeated McLeod-Skinner in the November 8 general election.[17]

Both Chavez-DeRemer and McLeod-Skinner lived just outside the district at the time of the election. Under theU.S. Constitution,members of the U.S. House must be residents of their state, but do not have to live in the district.[18]

2024

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Chavez-DeRemer ran for reelection in 2024 against Democratic nomineeJanelle Bynum.The race was considered one of the most competitive in the US House and drew more than $26 million inoutside spending.The race was called for Bynum on Friday, November 8.[19]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Chavez-DeRemer is described byThe New York Timesas "a mainstream Republican" who pitches herself as an independent thinker.[22]

Chavez-DeRemer voted to provide Israel with support following the2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[23][24]

Chavez-DeRemer was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter spearheaded by centrist House Representatives in which they pledged to respect the results of the2024 presidential election.[25]

Chavez-DeRemer, along with Democratic minority leaderHakeem Jeffries,cosponsored legislation to reformfederal cannabis laws.She also cosponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which would expand the power of public sector unions.[26]

Chavez-DeRemer was the only Republican co-sponsor and one of three congressional Republicans to support theProtecting the Right to Organize Act(PRO Act) strongly opposed by business groups.[27]The act would give workers more advantages when organizing or joining unions and bargaining with employers, also weakening state right-to-work laws.[27][28]She was supported byTeamstersPresidentSean O'Brienfor the position of Secretary of Labor, who thanked President Elect Trump for the nomination, noting her support of the PRO Act.[28]Her nomination was opposed by some business interest groups.[29]

Personal life

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Chavez-DeRemer is married to Shawn DeRemer, ananesthesiologist.They have two children and live in Happy Valley.[30]

Chavez-DeRemer isRoman Catholic.[31]

Electoral history

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2024

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2024 Oregon’s 5th congressional district Republican primary[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 54,458 98.18
Republican Write-in 1,009 1.81
Total votes 55,467 100.0


2022

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2022 Oregon’s 5th congressional district general election[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 178,813 50.91
Democratic Jamie McLeod-Skinner 171,514 48.83
Write-in 906 0.26
Total votes 351,233 100.0
2022 Oregon's 5th congressional district Republican primary[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 30,438 42.77
Republican Jimmy Crumpacker 20,631 28.99
Republican John Di Paola 11,486 16.14
Republican Laurel L. Roses 6,321 8.88
Republican Madison Oatman 1,863 2.62
Republican Write-in 429 0.60
Total votes 71,168 100.0

2018

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2018 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district election[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janelle Bynum(incumbent) 14,843 53.92
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 12,620 45.85
Write-in 63 0.23
Total votes 27,526 100.0
2018 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district Republican primary[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 2,453 97.77
Republican Write-in 56 2.23
Total votes 2,509 100.0

2016

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2016 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district election[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janelle Bynum 14,310 50.85
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 13,746 48.85
Write-in 86 0.30
Total votes 28,142 100.0
2016 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district Republican primary[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 3,255 96.14
Republican Write-in 96 2.86
Total votes 3,351 100.0

2014

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Happy Valley mayoral election, 2014[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) 3,682 94.63
Write-in 209 5.37
Total votes 3,891 100.0

2010

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Happy Valley mayoral election, 2010[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Lori DeRemer 2,749 94.63
Write-in 156 5.37
Total votes 2,905 100.0

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Incoming Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer".LegiStorm.RetrievedDecember 6,2022.
  2. ^Flaccus, Gillian (November 13, 2022)."GOP's Chavez-DeRemer flips Oregon 5th Congressional District".AP News.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2022.RetrievedNovember 14,2022.
  3. ^"Donald J. Trump has picked Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his labor secretary".
  4. ^Stone, Reid (November 24, 2024)."Trump taps Hanford native, Fresno St. grad Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary".San Joaquin Valley Sun.RetrievedNovember 26,2024.
  5. ^ab"Candidate Information: Lori Chavez-DeRemer".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  6. ^"Lori Chavez-DeRemer".Archives of Women's Political Communication, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.Iowa State University of Science and Technology.November 2, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 3,2023.
  7. ^"Lori Chavez-DeRemer".National Republican Congressional Committee.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2022.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
  8. ^Jaquiss, Nigel(November 8, 2016)."What's an Open Oregon House Seat Worth? Try Nearly $2 Million".Willamette Week.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  9. ^Shumway, Julia (October 27, 2022)."Rural Democrat, suburban Republican duke it out in Oregon's 5th Congressional District".Oregon Capital Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2022.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
  10. ^"Oregon's Most Expensive House Race Will End With Narrow Victory for Janelle Bynum".Willamette Week.November 9, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  11. ^Rendleman, Raymond (August 7, 2017)."Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer may take on Rep. Knute Buehler".Clackamas Review.Archivedfrom the original on January 4, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2022.
  12. ^Oregonian/OregonLive, Hillary Borrud | The (October 10, 2017)."Happy Valley mayor won't run for governor in 2018".oregonlive.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  13. ^Rendleman, Raymond (October 10, 2017)."Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer won't run against Rep. Knute Buehler".ClackamasReview.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2023.RetrievedMarch 17,2023.
  14. ^"Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer running for House".The Oregon Catalyst.March 7, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  15. ^Miner, Colin (November 8, 2018)."Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer".Across America, US Patch.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  16. ^"Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer".Across America, US Patch.November 8, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  17. ^Stringer, Grant (November 11, 2022)."Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer wins Oregon's 5th District seat in Congress, flipping longtime Democratic seat red".The Oregonian/OregonLive.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2022.RetrievedNovember 14,2022.
  18. ^Warner, Gary A. (November 14, 2022)."Republicans win key Oregon U.S. House seat in boost to bid for majority".Oregon Capital Insider.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  19. ^Dole, Bryce (November 8, 2024)."Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon's most high-profile US House district".Oregon Public Broadcasting.RetrievedNovember 8,2024.
  20. ^"About Climate Solutions Caucus".Climate Solutions Caucus.RetrievedNovember 7,2024.
  21. ^"Committees and Caucuses".Representative Chavez-Deremer.January 3, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2023.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
  22. ^"Tracking the House's Most Competitive Races".
  23. ^Demir gian, Karoun (October 25, 2023)."House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2023.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.
  24. ^Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023)."Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session".Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2023.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024)."6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results".The Hill.RetrievedSeptember 13,2024.
  26. ^Timotija, Filip (November 23, 2024)."5 things to know about Trump's pick to lead the Labor Department".The Hill.RetrievedNovember 23,2024.
  27. ^abDubberly, David E. (November 26, 2024)."Who is Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President-elect Trump's Pick for Secretary of Labor?".MaynardNexsen.RetrievedDecember 11,2024.
  28. ^abHsu, Andrea (November 23, 2024)."Trump picks Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead Labor Department".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on November 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 23,2024.
  29. ^Gurley, Lauren Kaori (November 22, 2024)."Trump picks Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon for labor secretary".The Washington Post.
  30. ^"Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Congress".Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 8,2023.
  31. ^"Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress"(PDF).Pew Research Center.Archived(PDF)from the original on March 16, 2023.
  32. ^"May 21, 2024, Primary Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.
  33. ^"November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.p. 3.Archived(PDF)from the original on February 16, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 5,2023.
  34. ^"May 17, 2022, Primary Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.p. 3.Archived(PDF)from the original on December 31, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  35. ^"November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on May 21, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 18,2023.
  36. ^"May 15, 2018, Primary Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  37. ^"November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 18,2023.
  38. ^"May 17, 2016, Primary Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on January 19, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  39. ^"Clackamas County, Oregon General Election Results 2014".Clackamas County Elections.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  40. ^"Nov. 2, 2010 General Election Final Results".Clackamas County Elections.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromOregon's 5th congressional district

2023–present
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence(ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
358th
Succeeded by