Democrat Dr. Maxine Dexter has officially entered the race for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, which is currently represented by retiring Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Dr. Dexter is a mom to two teenagers, serves as a State Representative and works as a pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, OR.
“As a mom, physician and legislator I’ve dedicated my life to caregiving, solving urgent problems, and creating lasting change — in the hospital and clinic, in our public schools and in the State House,” said Dr. Maxine Dexter. “Now I’m running for Congress because I’m ready to create the same transformational, life-saving change for Oregonians on a scale that is greater than ever before in my life and work.”
Since joining the Oregon House of Representatives in 2020, following a highly competitive primary election,
Dr. Dexter has established herself as a leader who is able to create durable change through effective policy-making. She has led the passage of critical policies including a historic housing package, a comprehensive opioid harm reduction package, land use policy and environmental protections including eliminating single-use styrofoam and PFAS chemicals.
“There is nothing Representative Dexter can’t get done when she puts her mind to it. I’ve seen firsthand how she listens, leads and gets big things done when others have failed. Rep. Dexter is exactly who we need fighting for our state and our values in our nation’s capital,” said Dan Rayfield, Speaker of Oregon’s House of Representatives.
“I am alive today because of Dr. Dexter’s commitment
to listening to her patients, her attention to detail and the way she thinks outside the box. These skills are why she’s trusted to care for the most complicated patients in the clinic and hospital and why we need her serving as our next member of Congress. Maxine is the only candidate I trust to address our community’s challenges and concerns on a national level,” added Maureen Musser of Happy Valley.
“Dr. Dexter’s exceptional track record as a pragmatic problem solver for Oregon is demonstrated through her policy work for our region and State. She has the experience and wisdom to prioritize and get things accomplished for Oregon and our Nation” noted Andy Mendenhall MD, Physician Leader.