Who's running in Oregon's 1st congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Suzanne Bonamici currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Repealing the Trump tax cuts and making the tax system progressive so the wealthiest pay their fair share.
Abolishing ICE; she says it is 'terrorizing communities' and violating due process.
Protecting voting rights, including Oregon's vote-by-mail system.
Barring ICE enforcement at schools, health centres, places of worship and food banks, and banning masked agents.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Oregon's 1st District since 2012.
Former Oregon state senator and state representative; former Federal Trade Commission attorney.
Voted for the 2024 foreign aid package (H.R. 8034), which her primary opponent criticised.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary; also nominated by the Working Families Party.
Says she will not accept AIPAC donations this cycle and has since opposed military aid to Israel, according to the Portland Mercury.
Arguments in favor
'My constituents are counting on me to do everything I can to defend their rights' — she has worked to free constituents illegally targeted by ICE and introduced legislation to limit ICE tactics.
— Suzanne Bonamici, Street Roots candidate questionnaire
She 'deserves to be reelected': a reliable Democrat who fights for expanded health care, abortion rights and mail-in voting and against the administration's immigration tactics, and 'has shown up for her district in meaningful ways.'
— Portland Mercury endorsement editorial
Arguments against
She 'has voted for over $72 billion in military aid to Israel, Egypt and Jordan' and funded an unauthorised Middle East war; 'Representative Bonamici has been in office for over 14 years and has found the time to fund wars, but not repeal unconstitutional laws.'
— Jamil Chaudhry-Ahmad, Democratic primary opponent, Street Roots candidate questionnaire
'Don't expect her to push the envelope or do anything to ruffle too many feathers'; her 2024 vote for military aid to Israel prompted her primary challenge.
— Portland Mercury endorsement editorial
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Bonamici by her Republican opponent or the NRCC was found; the seat is considered safely Democratic.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Opposing targeted wealth taxes; instead cutting red tape and lowering small-business taxes.
Keeping ICE while reforming its methods and ensuring due process in immigration enforcement.
Protecting free speech, religious liberty and Oregon's reserved state powers.
Rebuilding the economy and education programmes so every Oregonian can succeed.
Federal school choice legislation letting education dollars follow the student; opposing federal involvement in local curriculum.
Expanding housing supply at every price point and streamlining permitting.
Protecting ports, working waterfronts and timber-dependent communities.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Doctor of veterinary medicine.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary over John Verbeek.
Has not held elected office.
Chief veterinarian for the American Samoa territorial government from 2022; received the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association's 2012 Animal Welfare Award.
Says her campaign takes no corporate PAC money.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Kahl could be found, so no arguments are listed for her (her campaign's case is in her positions). Searched: 'Barbara Kahl criticism', 'Kahl Verbeek primary' (her primary opponent), Bonamici campaign statements, Ballotpedia, and Oregon Capital Chronicle and Street Roots coverage; she did not answer the Capital Chronicle's primary questionnaire.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Oregon held its primaries on May 19, 2026; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality with no runoff. No redistricting or map litigation affecting Oregon's 2026 congressional lines was found. Two candidates are qualified for the ballot on the Secretary of State's candidate filings list: Democratic incumbent Suzanne Bonamici, who is also nominated by the Working Families Party, and Republican Barbara Kahl. Bonamici beat Jamil Chaudhry-Ahmad in the Democratic primary; Kahl beat John Verbeek in the Republican primary. The district covers Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties and parts of Washington and Multnomah counties, including Beaverton and Hillsboro.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Oregon ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.