Central Oregon Daily News: Deschutes Co. Commissioner Patti Adair announces run for Congress

BEND, Ore. -- Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair announced Tuesday she plans to run for Congress in Oregon's 5th District in 2026. She will run as a Republican for the seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Janelle Bynum.

“I feel that, at this time in my life and in Oregon's current situation, that it's really appropriate for me to run for Congress,” Adair said.

Adair spent the last seven years as county commissioner. She said she's incredibly proud of her work to support homeless veterans with the Central Oregon Veterans Village.

“We've had 40 veterans that have moved on from being homeless and being part of that program," Adair said. "I was always an enormous cheerleader for that program.”

It's work she hopes to take to the federal level.

"I feel like I can bring a better decision making process listening to people," Adair said. "I know people are really struggling at this moment in time.”

Adair has not officially filed to run for congress or county commissioner yet. The deadline to file is in March. But under Oregon law, she has to pick just one of those positions. ORS 249.013 says "A person may not be a candidate for more than one lucrative office to be filled at the same election."

But Adair says her focus is clear.

“I am dialed in for Congress. I've always really cared and worried about people. And I feel like this is the perfect time for me to run for Congress,” Adair said.

We reached out to Bynum about her possible opponents. She sent us a statement that did not address Adair or any opponents. Her full statement is below:

"I've spent the last year fighting in Congress to lower costs, create jobs, and make life better for Oregonians. From securing funding for our district to passing bills in the House that support our small businesses, my focus has always been on breaking through partisan gridlock to deliver real results to our communities. I hope to earn another term from my constituents and continue working to move things forward for the next generation."

Two other candidates have already filed for Congressional District 5.

Jonathan Lockwood, who says he has worked as a spokesperson for elected officials and candidates, has also declared he’s running as a Republican for the 5th District seat. Marketing coordinator Zeva Rosenbaum is running for the Democratic nomination. Bynum, who is in her first term, has yet to formally file for re-election.

With Adair taking herself out of the running for Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, there will be at least three new members of the board after next year's election. The board is expanding with two new open seats to be filled as well as Adair's in Position 3.

Here is Adair's full announcement:

SISTERS, OR - Today, Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair declared her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. Announcing her candidacy, Commissioner Adair stated the following:

“I am a proud mother, wife, businesswoman, philanthropist, and Deschutes County Commissioner who has spent my entire life in the service of others. From being involved in 4-H growing up, to raising millions of dollars for schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes across the West Coast, to representing over 200,000 of my neighbors on the Deschutes County Commission, I have always cared deeply about my community and improving people’s lives. That is why I am running for U.S. Congress: because I love Oregon and Oregon deserves representation that will actually deliver for us in Washington D.C.

I am running for Congress because I understand firsthand the challenges that families and communities in the 5th Congressional District are facing. I am running for Congress to address rising electricity costs, to help make healthcare more accessible and affordable for working-class families, to support sustainable management of our natural resources, and to support policies that help businesses thrive in Oregon.

I am running for Congress because the 5th District needs a proven problem-solver in D.C, not an extreme partisan like our current Representative. Throughout my career, I have always focused on uniting people to deliver solutions to the problems facing our community. In Congress, I will do the same.

In Congress, I will work across party lines to deliver real results that improve the lives of Oregonians across the 5th District. Unlike our current Representative, I will put people and problem-solving first, not partisanship and obstructionism.

Time and time again, our current Representative has proven that she is extreme and out of touch. She voted to shut down the government and voted against a bipartisan bill to reopen it. She voted against paying our troops, federal law enforcement, and federal employees. She voted against funding SNAP and Head Start, as well as against important grants that support our first responders. Because of her partisan obstructionism, Oregonians and their families have needlessly suffered. Our district deserves better.

The 5th Congressional District deserves a truly independent leader with courage who will fight for us in D.C. and deliver. I am that leader.” This article first appeared in Central Oregon Daily News. To view the article there, please click here.