SISTERS, OR — Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair, the Republican nominee for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, issued a sharp demand on Tuesday calling for her opponent, Janelle Bynum, to join bipartisan calls demanding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner drop out of his race following recent allegations of rape.
In a press statement released July 7, Adair expressed disappointment over what she characterized as Bynum’s silence on the matter, urging her to align with fellow Democrats who have already condemned Planter.
“Janelle Bynum needs to do the right thing and join her fellow Democrat House colleagues, Representative Ro Khanna and Representative Madeleine Dean, in calling for Graham Platner to drop out of the Maine Senate race after the disturbing allegations that he raped his former girlfriend,” Adair said. “I am disappointed that Representative Bynum has waited this long to do so.”
Adair further argued that the latest allegations are part of a broader pattern of disqualifying behavior, noting earlier controversies that have trailed the Maine candidate. “Graham Platner should have dropped out the moment it came out he had a Nazi tattoo, or when it was revealed he sent explicit pictures to other women while being married, and after this allegation he certainly needs to go,” Adair stated.
The Adair campaign also took aim at Bynum’s legislative record, pointing to past actions regarding sexual assault legislation during her time in the Oregon Legislature. The campaign cited Bynum’s vote on House Bill 3293 during the 2019 session—a bill aimed at extending the statute of limitations for victims of sexual assault and rape—arguing that her current hesitation contradicts her legislative posturing. She was the only no vote in either legislative chamber, and she explained her objection during her floor speech in the Oregon House of Representatives:
“I think we’re doing people an injustice by extending the amount of time.”
As pressure mounts nationally on Platner, Adair insisted that Bynum has a moral obligation to state her position clearly. “Janelle Bynum has an obligation to do the right thing and speak out against Graham Platner,” Adair said. “Congresswoman Bynum, disavow Platner and call for him to drop out.”
Neither Representative Bynum’s campaign nor Graham Platner’s campaign have publicly responded to Adair’s statement. Congresswoman Janelle Bynum did not respond to Right Now Oregon’s request for comment.
Editor’s Note
Right Now Oregon, LLC President Alex McHaddad is the Treasurer of Young Republicans of Oregon, which endorsed Commissioner Patti Adair for Congressional District 5. Right Now Oregon, LLC has no editorial stance on the CD5 race and does not intend to endorse any candidate.
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