Biography

Janelle Sojourner Bynum, born on January 31, 1975, in Washington, D.C., is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district since January 3, 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first Black member of Congress from Oregon.

Before her congressional tenure, Bynum served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025, representing the 51st district and later the 39th district. During her time in the state legislature, she chaired the House Committee on Economic Development and Small Business and was instrumental in passing significant legislation, including a $210 million initiative to bolster Oregon's semiconductor industry.

In addition to her political career, Bynum is a small business owner, operating four McDonald's restaurants in the Portland area. She resides in Happy Valley with her husband, Mark, and their four children.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida A&M University
• Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business

Political Experience

• Oregon House of Representatives: Elected in 2016, serving from 2017 to 2025.

  • Chaired the House Committee on Economic Development and Small Business.
  • Chief sponsor of the Oregon CHIPS Act, a $210 million initiative to strengthen the state's semiconductor industry.

• U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2024, serving Oregon's 5th congressional district since January 3, 2025.

  • Appointed to the House Financial Services Committee, the first Oregon freshman to serve on this committee in 28 years.
  • Member of the Future Forum , New Democrat Coalition, Bipartisan Women's Caucus , and Congressional Black Caucus.

Throughout her career, Bynum has been a strong advocate for economic development, education, and public safety, focusing on creating good-paying jobs, strengthening public education, and lowering costs for working families.