Susheela Jayapal Loses Dem Primary In Oregon

India-West News Desk

PORTLAND, OR – Susheela Jayapal, the sister of Rep. Pramila Jayapal, was defeated by Oregon state rep. Maxine Dexter in the Democratic primary for the third Congressional District. Jayapal, a former Multnomah County commissioner, was among seven Democrats vying to succeed outgoing Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who announced in October that he would not seek reelection for his Portland-area seat.

Despite receiving national endorsements from high-profile progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Barbara Lee, and her sister, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Susheela Jayapal was unable to secure the nomination. Dexter, a doctor, received significant backing from prominent Oregon Democrats, including former Governors John Kitzhaber and Ted Kulongoski, Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner, and Oregon Speaker of the House Julie Fahey.

In a statement following her defeat, Jayapal expressed pride in the campaign she and her supporters ran, highlighting its focus on values and inclusivity. “We were clear, from the beginning, that we were going to run a campaign based on values,” she said. She also emphasized the importance of making marginalized communities feel included and empowered.

Jayapal has faced criticism from Jewish leaders in her district, as reported by the Jewish Insider. The criticism stemmed from her refusal to sign a statement condemning Hamas and standing with Israel during an October 12, 2023, county board meeting. The report noted that until that meeting, Jayapal had no significant public history on Middle East policy. However, her stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict suggests alignment with her sister, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who is known for her critical views on Israel.

Susheela Jayapal made history in 2019 by becoming the first Indian American to win an elected county office in Oregon, representing District 2 on the county board. She won reelection last year. Before her political career, she worked as a corporate lawyer, most recently serving as general counsel for Adidas America.