Democratic House candidate Janelle Bynum, running in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, came under fire for allegedly failing to act on allegations of sexual harassment and assault against a man working with her campaign. A complaint filed with the state’s Legislative Equality Office accused Bynum of not being a mandatory reporter of the allegations against the man working for the PAC that staffed her State Representative campaign in 2022. The complaint also claimed that when confronted about the alleged actions, Bynum was dismissive and even threatened the individual who reached out to her. Multiple former staff members allegedly reported inappropriate sexual behavior by a field organizer to Bynum, but no action was taken.
In response, a Bynum campaign spokesperson refuted the allegations, claiming that Bynum flagged the accusations directly to the accuser’s employer, Future PAC, as soon as she was made aware of them after the 2022 election. However, the nature and scope of an investigation regarding the complaint is not known at this time. Text messages obtained by Fox News Digital show Bynum showing little interest in addressing the alleged impropriety against her former staffer, sparking further concerns. Despite allegations made against the accused staffer, they continued to be associated with FuturePAC and held a position with the Oregon State Legislature after the 2022 campaign.
The complaint against Bynum raised questions about her conduct as a mandatory reporter, with concerns regarding her failure to report allegations of sexual harassment and assault, particularly concerning children and minors. Bynum faced criticism in 2019 for voting against a bill that would have given more time for victims to sue by expanding the statute of limitations for rape. While the Oregon State Police confirmed receiving an initial complaint regarding the allegations against Bynum, they did not comment on the status or scope of any investigation. Despite the controversy, Bynum’s supporters have defended her, emphasizing her advocacy for the underserved and underrepresented.
As Bynum faces backlash over the handling of the allegations against a former staffer, her opponent, Republican Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is seizing the opportunity to criticize Bynum’s actions. Some experts believe that this race could play a pivotal role in tipping the balance of power in the House, making the outcome even more consequential. Questions surrounding Bynum’s actions as a mandatory reporter and her response to allegations of sexual harassment and assault have brought increased scrutiny to her campaign, drawing attention from both her supporters and critics. Ultimately, the unfolding controversy surrounding Bynum’s conduct could have significant implications for the outcome of this closely watched race in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.
