Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair received the Libertarian nomination for Congressional District 5 at the Party’s nominating convention. Commissioner Adair received the Republican nomination in the May primary. She had one main competitor for the Libertarian Party’s nomination, Lebanon resident Joseph Lehman. This is a developing story with updates to follow.
Lehman Responds
Joseph Lehman posted about the results on social media, pledging to continue chairing the Linn County Libertarian Party while refusing to support the Party’s own nominee for CD5.
Today, I officially conclude my campaign for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.
While I am disappointed by the outcome of the Libertarian Party of Oregon’s nominating convention, I leave this race with my head held high and with immense gratitude for everyone who believed in our campaign.
To every volunteer, supporter, donor, and friend who stood beside me over these past 10 months, thank you. Your dedication, encouragement, and countless hours of hard work made this campaign possible. I truly could not have done it without you.
Most importantly, I want to thank my wife and children for the sacrifices they made while I spent so much time away from home trying to bring change to a broken political system. Your love and support have meant everything to me.
I will not be endorsing either major party candidate. Both have refused to reject foreign influence, and both continue to support interventionist foreign policies in different ways. These are principles I refuse to sway from. I do not believe either offers the representation or solutions our country deserves.
Many people have asked what happened at the convention. My understanding is that my Republican opponent secured the Libertarian nomination after receiving support from all members of the Libertarian Party of Oregon’s Board that reside within my district and after some Republicans who had already voted in their party’s primary later registered as Libertarians and voted at our convention. I believe our party should have a serious conversation about protecting the integrity of its nominating process, and really start paying closer attention to who we elect to leadership positions. This is another reason why it’s so important to get involved.
As for what comes next, I will be taking some much needed time to be with my family, reflecting on everything I have learned during this campaign, and continuing to grow my business. I will also continue serving as Chair of the Libertarian Party of Linn County and as Secretary of the Independent Candidate Network.
Make no mistake. This is not the end. I will continue advocating for liberty, holding those in power accountable, and standing up for the principles that inspired me to run in the first place.
To everyone who stood with me, thank you. This campaign may be over, but my work has only just begun.
Lehman went on to question the vote outcomes in comments on Right Now Oregon’s announcement about the nomination:
Funny that republicans are crying about election integrity, but had to cheat to kick another candidate off the ballot.
Editor’s Note
Right Now Oregon, LLC President Alex McHaddad is the Treasurer of the Young Republicans of Oregon PAC, which endorsed Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair for Congress. Right Now Oregon endorses no candidate in any 2026 race and has no plans to do so.
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