A complaint was filed against Democratic House candidate Janelle Bynum in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, accusing her of failing to address allegations of sexual harassment and assault within her campaign staff. The complaint stated that Bynum did not report the allegations and even threatened the individual who raised concerns.
Bynum’s campaign spokesperson denied the allegations, stating that she took the accusations seriously and reported them to Future PAC, the accuser’s employer, after the 2022 election. While the Legislative Equity Office confirmed that Bynum was not under investigation, state police have conducted interviews regarding the complaint.
Text messages between Bynum and campaign staff revealed a lack of urgency in addressing the allegations. Despite this, Future PAC denied any knowledge of official complaints during the 2022 cycle that would have triggered an investigation.
Bynum’s history of voting against a bill that would extend the statute of limitations for rape victims drew criticism. The Oregon State Police confirmed receiving a complaint against Bynum but did not disclose details of any investigation.
Supporters of Bynum defended her record and accused Future PAC and Oregon Speaker of the House Julie Fahey of failing to address HR issues within their organization. The race between Bynum and Republican Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer is considered crucial in determining the balance of power in the House.
Critics argue that Bynum’s failure to report the allegations goes against state laws that require legislators to report instances of sexual assault, especially involving minors. Despite the controversy, Bynum’s supporters remain confident in her dedication to serving Oregonians.