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Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Lori Chávez-DeRemer
Official portrait, 2022
United States Secretary of Labor
Nominee
Assuming office
TBD
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyKeith Sonderling (nominee)
SucceedingJulie Su (acting)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 5th district
In office
January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded byKurt Schrader
Succeeded byJanelle Bynum
Mayor of Happy Valley
In office
January 18, 2011 – January 15, 2019
Preceded byRob Wheeler
Succeeded byTom Ellis
Member of the Happy Valley City Council
In office
2005–2011
Personal details
Born
Lori Michelle Chávez

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

Lori Michelle Chavez-DeRemer (/ˈtʃɑːvɛz dəˈriːmər/; née Chávez; born April 7, 1968) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district from 2023 to 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Chavez-DeRemer served as mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, from 2011 to 2019.

She is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the House. Additionally, she is one of the first two Hispanic women (alongside Andrea Salinas) elected to the United States Congress from Oregon. Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the House before being defeated in 2024 by Democrat Janelle Bynum.

On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer as his secretary of labor.

Early life and education

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Born on April 7, 1968 in Santa Clara, California, Chavez-DeRemer grew up in Hanford, California, and graduated from Hanford High School in 1986.[1][2][3] She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University, Fresno.[4]

Early political career

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Chavez-DeRemer was elected to the city council of Happy Valley, Oregon, in 2004.[2] She was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. She served as mayor until 2018.[5]

In 2016, after incumbent Shemia Fagan opted not to seek reelection to her seat in Oregon House District 51, Chavez-DeRemer filed to run as a Republican, and won the primary unopposed.[6] She lost by 564 votes to restaurateur Janelle Bynum in the November general election, in what was the most expensive state House race in Oregon of 2016.[7][8]

In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed a political action committee to explore a gubernatorial bid in 2018.[9] In October 2017, she announced in a YouTube video that she would not run for governor, clearing the primary for eventual nominee Knute Buehler.[10][11]

In March 2018, Chavez-DeRemer announced her intention to again run for House District 51.[12] She was unopposed in the Republican primary. She again lost to Bynum, by 2,223 votes.[13][14]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2022

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Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon § District 5

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

Chavez-DeRemer defeated McLeod-Skinner in the November 8 general election.[15][16]

Both Chavez-DeRemer and McLeod-Skinner lived just outside the district at the time of the election. Under the U.S. Constitution, members of the U.S. House must be residents of their state, but do not have to live in the district.[17]

2024

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Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon § District 5

Chavez-DeRemer ran for reelection in 2024 against Democratic nominee Janelle Bynum. The race was considered one of the most competitive in the US House and drew more than $26 million in outside spending. The race was called for Bynum on Friday, November 8.[18]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Secretary of Labor

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Nomination

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On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer as his secretary of labor.[21]

Political positions

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

Chavez-DeRemer voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 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 the 2024 presidential election.[25]

Chavez-DeRemer, along with Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, cosponsored legislation to reform federal 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 the Protecting 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 by Teamsters President Sean O'Brien for 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, an anesthesiologist. They have two children and live in Happy Valley.[30]

Chavez-DeRemer is Roman Catholic.[31]

Electoral history

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2024

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2024 Oregon’s 5th congressional district general election[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janelle Bynum 191,365 47.7
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 180,420 45.0
Independent Brett Smith 18,665 4.7
Libertarian Sonja Feintech 6,193 1.5
Pacific Green Andrea Thorn Townsend 4,155 1.0
Write-in 495 0.1
Total votes 401,293 100%
2024 Oregon’s 5th congressional district Republican primary[33]
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[34]
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[35]
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[36]
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[37]
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[38]
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[39]
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[40]
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[41]
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. ^ Stone, Reid (November 24, 2024). "Trump taps Hanford native, Fresno St. grad Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary". San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Candidate Information: Lori Chavez-DeRemer". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "Incoming Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer". LegiStorm. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "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. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Lori Chavez-DeRemer". National Republican Congressional Committee. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (November 8, 2016). "What's an Open Oregon House Seat Worth? Try Nearly $2 Million". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  7. ^ Shumway, Julia (October 27, 2022). "Rural Democrat, suburban Republican duke it out in Oregon's 5th Congressional District". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "Oregon's Most Expensive House Race Will End With Narrow Victory for Janelle Bynum". Willamette Week. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Rendleman, Raymond (August 7, 2017). "Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer may take on Rep. Knute Buehler". Clackamas Review. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  10. ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Hillary Borrud | The (October 10, 2017). "Happy Valley mayor won't run for governor in 2018". oregonlive. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Rendleman, Raymond (October 10, 2017). "Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer won't run against Rep. Knute Buehler". ClackamasReview.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  12. ^ "Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer running for House". The Oregon Catalyst. March 7, 2018. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Miner, Colin (November 8, 2018). "Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer". Across America, US Patch. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer". Across America, US Patch. November 8, 2018. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  15. ^ 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. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  16. ^ Flaccus, Gillian (November 13, 2022). "GOP's Chavez-DeRemer flips Oregon 5th Congressional District". AP News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Warner, Gary A. (November 14, 2022). "Republicans win key Oregon U.S. House seat in boost to bid for majority". Oregon Capital Insider. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  18. ^ Dole, Bryce (November 8, 2024). "Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon's most high-profile US House district". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  19. ^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  20. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Chavez-Deremer. January 3, 2023. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "Donald J. Trump has picked Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his labor secretary".
  22. ^ "Tracking the House's Most Competitive Races".
  23. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 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. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 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. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  26. ^ Timotija, Filip (November 23, 2024). "5 things to know about Trump's pick to lead the Labor Department". The Hill. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Dubberly, David E. (November 26, 2024). "Who is Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President-elect Trump's Pick for Secretary of Labor?". MaynardNexsen. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Hsu, Andrea (November 23, 2024). "Trump picks Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead Labor Department". NPR. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 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". Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2023.
  32. ^ "November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  33. ^ "May 21, 2024, Primary Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State.
  34. ^ "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  35. ^ "May 17, 2022, Primary Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  36. ^ "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  37. ^ "May 15, 2018, Primary Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  38. ^ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  39. ^ "May 17, 2016, Primary Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  40. ^ "Clackamas County, Oregon General Election Results 2014". Clackamas County Elections. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  41. ^ "Nov. 2, 2010 General Election Final Results". Clackamas County Elections. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 5th congressional district
2023–2025 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative