Top progressive member's sister LOSES primary in Oregon despite The Squad's backing: Alarm bells for far-left candidates across the country in key takeaways from primaries

Susheela Jayapal loses Oregon Democratic House primary to Maxine Dexter Jayapal is the sister of progressive caucus chair Pramila Jayapal READ MORE: Squad members face Democratic primary challenges from middle 

Maxine Dexter easily won the Democratic primary in Oregon's third congressional district beating out top progressive member Pramila Jayapal's own sister raising alarms for far-left candidates across the country.

Susheela Jayapal was running as a progressive champion in the race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Congressman Earl Blumenauer in a district that includes much of Portland.

Dexter, a state representative and physician, won the primary by double digits 51 percent to Jayapal's 29 percent. A third candidate in the race Eddy Morales received 14 percent.

Jayapal, who previously served as a county commissioner, had the backing of several progressive members in Congress known as the 'Squad' including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Jamaal Bowman.

She also had the backing of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Susheela Jayapal (left) with sister Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal of Washington

Susheela Jayapal (left) with sister Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal of Washington

The winner of the Democratic primary is favored to win the seat in November in the heavily Democrat leaning district.

All three candidates in the Democratic primary had very similar stances on most of the issues and described themselves as progressive. But their differences came down to how they pitched their approach to the job and potentially outside spending.

Jayapal was elected to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners in 2018, but she stepped down to run for Congress last year.

While serving, she spent much of her time dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and worsening homelessness in her county. The Oregonian editorial board criticized her for not more forcefully steering the local government body.

Maxine Dexter (left) and Susheela Jayapal (right) taking part in a debate on April 11, 2024

Maxine Dexter (left) and Susheela Jayapal (right) taking part in a debate on April 11, 2024

Susheela Jayapal (left) with her sister Rep. Jayapal out campaigning

Susheela Jayapal (left) with her sister Rep. Jayapal out campaigning

Dexter ran as a consensus building candidate and touted her ability to reach across the aisle in the Oregon State Legislature where she focuses on housing and dealing with homelessness.

Read More

Squad member Ilhan Omar faces VERY tight race to keep her seat: Democratic Rep. who has heavily criticized Israel is tied with her Minnesota primary challenger, new poll shows

article image

While she trailed both her opponents in fundraising, outside groups not affiliated with her campaign spent more than $3 million on ads supporting her in the race while another $3 million was spent on anti-Jayapal ads according to tracking by Ad Impact.

In a statement conceding, Jayapal congratulated Dexter on her victory. She also blasted the outside spending in the race and called for campaign finance reform.

Across the country, progressive candidates including Squad members are facing challengers as some more moderate Democrats argue they would be more successful with getting results in Washington.

But the results of such efforts has yet to be seen.

In Pennsylvania, Rep. Summer Lee fended off a primary challenger in the district that includes much of Pittsburgh last month.

Tlaib in Michigan was also able to comfortably win her primary in March in a safely blue district despite spending by pro-Israel groups.

Ocasio-Cortez and Bowman in New York are facing their own primary challengers with its upcoming primary are Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri  and Omar in Minnesota who face primary challengers later this summer.

OTHER NEWS

11 minutes ago

'Not Happy With Myself': Leon Draisaitl Dives Into His Stanley Cup Final Performance

11 minutes ago

Raiders DL Christian Wilkins says he's still hungry even after receiving massive free agent deal

11 minutes ago

‘I Was Surprised That They Kept (Ilya) Samsonov In For That Many Games’: Bruins’ Linus Ullmark Reflects on Stanley Cup Playoff Series Victory Against Maple Leafs

11 minutes ago

Guler may not start against Portugal, Turkey coach Montella says

12 minutes ago

Cholesterol drug ‘slows progression of eye disease in people with diabetes’

12 minutes ago

Former Texas A&M star Darren Lewis dies at age 55 from cancer

12 minutes ago

Texas medical panel issues new guidelines for doctors but no specific exceptions for abortion ban

12 minutes ago

England could not match South Africa’s intent with the bat – Jos Buttler

12 minutes ago

Obesity drug used in Mounjaro and Zepbound may help treat dangerous sleep apnea

12 minutes ago

2 killed, 6 hurt in mass shooting at grocery store in Arkansas

12 minutes ago

Trump campaign's fundraising boost helps erase Biden's cash advantage

12 minutes ago

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a presidential debate preview and Bill Nye on the historic heat in the U.S., Sunday on ‘This Week’ with Co-Anchor Martha Raddatz

12 minutes ago

Sydney Sweeney Was Caught Pirating A TV Series & Twitter Isn't Holding Back

13 minutes ago

Court reverses judge’s block of some Obamacare no-cost preventive care coverage mandates nationwide

13 minutes ago

Joe Alwyn Steps Out for First Red Carpet Since Commenting on Taylor Swift Breakup at “Kinds of Kindness” Premiere

13 minutes ago

Video: Woman is abused for rifling through dead woman's treasured belongings after it was dumped on sidewalk in NYC's posh Upper East Side

13 minutes ago

Video: Jennifer Lopez, 54, takes RACY selfies of her famous posterior while rocking a plunging white swimsuit during vacation in Italy without husband Ben Affleck - as divorce rumors ramp up

13 minutes ago

Bromwich hurts former teammates

13 minutes ago

Young voters shift support to Green Party as some say voting for Labour would be a 'disservice'

13 minutes ago

Starmer 'uncomfortable' with Corbyn questions 'because he feels guilt'

13 minutes ago

Calgary theatre company’s ‘very special’ new show celebrates Filipino culture

13 minutes ago

Federal judge to consider a partial end to special court oversight of child migrants

13 minutes ago

Eli Lilly expects FDA decision on weight loss drug Zepbound for sleep apnea as early as end of the year

13 minutes ago

Where is Sherri Papini, whose false kidnapping story inspired ‘Perfect Wife', now?

13 minutes ago

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton theory blasted by F1 legend who slams 'load of rubbish'

15 minutes ago

Supreme Court Says Domestic Abusers Can Be Denied Guns

18 minutes ago

Baseball great Reggie Jackson opens up on TV about racism he faced as a player

19 minutes ago

Quinn Ewers Gave His Honest Thoughts on Ohio State Coach Ryan Day

19 minutes ago

Demand for compute in AI is going to 'absolutely skyrocket': Toggle AI co-founder Jan Szilagyi

19 minutes ago

How To Watch John Krasinski's IF At Home

19 minutes ago

NBA analyst says Michael Jordan's DPOY award was a product of stat-padding: "Jordan was god-like at home and a mere mortal on the road"

19 minutes ago

Payton Pritchard Receives New Nickname At Boston Celtics Parade

19 minutes ago

LOOK: Celtics star Jayson Tatum takes shot at Miami Heat to kick off Boston's championship parade

19 minutes ago

Are Rams better at backup quarterback with Stetson Bennett than Brett Rypien?

19 minutes ago

England fall short in T20 World Cup run chase as South Africa hold their nerve

19 minutes ago

Arnautovic penalty seals deserved Austria win and puts Poland on brink

19 minutes ago

Chris Bosh talked about LeBron's scary good IQ and memory: "He remembers other stuff, like stuff he shouldn't even know"

19 minutes ago

Britain’s biggest union demands a four-day week

19 minutes ago

Netherlands vs. France live score: Euro 2024 updates, result as Mbappe's Les Bleus and Oranje look to take control of Group D

19 minutes ago

Brazil predicted starting lineup vs Costa Rica: Copa America 2024