KTVZ to Host Bynum-Adair Debate in Race for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District

Bend, OR. — KTVZ-TV will host a live debate between Democratic Rep. Janelle Bynum and Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair, the Republican challenger in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District race, on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The one-hour debate will begin at 6 p.m. and will air on KTVZ-TV and stream across the station’s digital platforms as part of its Decision 2026 election coverage.

Adair secured the Republican nomination in the May primary and subsequently received the Libertarian Party’s nomination at its July convention, where she competed against Lebanon resident Joseph Lehman.

A fourth-generation Oregonian, Adair was born in Pendleton and raised on her family’s ranch near Heppner. She earned a degree from the University of Oregon and later obtained her certified public accountant license through Central Washington University, according to her campaign website.

Adair previously worked as an auditor and accountant at Moss Adams before winning election to the Deschutes County Commission in 2018. She was reelected in 2022 and currently helps oversee a county government with more than 1,200 employees and 22 departments.

Her campaign highlights the county’s veterans village program and her work to preserve Worrell Wayside Park in Bend. Adair also chairs the Central Oregon Commission on Transportation and serves on several regional and local government boards.

Bynum, the Democratic incumbent, was elected to Congress in 2024 after previously serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration.

Before entering Congress, Bynum and her husband operated four McDonald’s restaurants. Her campaign biography says she provided educational scholarships to employees and mentored workers pursuing additional opportunities.

Immigration enforcement is likely to be among the issues separating the candidates. Bynum voted against a temporary Department of Homeland Security funding resolution in March that included money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

Bynum’s statement described the proposal as “murder money” for ICE funding, although the published page carried a different headline. In her statement, Bynum accused ICE of operating without sufficient accountability and said she would not support additional funding for the agency without major reforms.

“I’m all for funding the TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA, but I won’t send another dollar to ICE without major reforms,” Bynum said.

Earlier in the year, Bynum described an immigration enforcement operation involving armed federal agents as “state-sponsored terrorism,” drawing attention to her sharply critical position on the Trump administration’s enforcement policies.

Adair’s campaign emphasizes public safety, support for veterans and small businesses, fiscal oversight and cooperation across party lines. She says her experience representing both urban and rural communities would help her address the varied interests within the district.

Veteran KTVZ anchor Lee Anderson will moderate the debate. KTVZ political reporter Spencer Sacks and another local media representative will join the questioning panel.

“Providing voters with the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, side by side, is one of the most important responsibilities of local journalism,” KTVZ News Director Gregory Deffenbaugh said.

The debate will be one of several candidate forums KTVZ plans to present during the fall, with additional events covering local, state and federal races.