Rep. Janelle Bynum, a former state legislator, was sworn in on this weekend, pledging to prioritize bipartisan solutions for families.
BEND, Ore. — In a historic ceremony that marked a watershed moment for Oregon politics, Janelle Bynum was sworn in on Saturday as the state’s first Black member of Congress in a ceremony at the Oregon State University-Cascades campus.
Judge Raymond Crutchley administered the oath to Bynum, who represents Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District, during a ceremony that brought together local and state leaders in Bend.
“At the end of the day, most people in this country, Democrat or Republican, want the same thing,” Bynum said after taking the oath. “We want great schools and opportunities for our kids, more money in our pockets, access to good hospitals and doctors, and to feel safe in our homes and communities.”
Bynum, an engineer and small business owner, brings a diverse background to Congress. The working mother of four previously served as a state legislator before winning her congressional seat.
State Senator Anthony Broadman and State Representative Jason Kropf attended the ceremony, along with Bend Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins and other community leaders from Deschutes County. Their presence highlighted the commitment to cross-governmental cooperation between local, state and federal officials in central Oregon.
The congresswoman serves on the Financial Services Committee and has joined both the Congressional Black Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition. Her stated priorities include lowering costs for families, driving economic development, and investing in children’s safety and education.
The historic significance of Bynum’s swearing-in extends beyond central Oregon, representing a milestone in state history as she becomes the first Black Oregonian to serve in Congress since the state’s founding.
