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Maxine Dexter, 51, is the Democratic nominee for Oregon's 3rd Congressional District.
Courtesy of the campaign
OPB asked candidates for Congressional races the same questions on key issues in the state. Answers are provided verbatim but responses were limited to 150 words. Dexter was the only candidate for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District who provided a response.
To start, please give us your name and basic biographical details, including your current position or job, any elected offices you have held and any key facts you would like voters to know about you.
My name is Maxine Dexter and I was born and raised in a working class family in the Pacific Northwest. At 16, I began working at Albertsons as a UFCW union member. The wages, health care benefits, and job security I received laid the foundation for me to pursue higher education, with the help of student loans. I became the first in my family to graduate from college and then went on to go to medical school at the University of Washington. I am currently a Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician at Kaiser Permanente. I had the privilege of representing House District 33 in the Oregon State House between 2020 - 2024 where I served as the Chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness (2022 - 2024). I previously served as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Northwest Permanente, the largest physician group in the northwest.
Why should you be elected to represent this district?
This is a make-or-break moment for the middle-class, and Oregonians are looking for a representative who can listen, lead with the facts, and deliver real results for their families. Congress is far too insulated from the everyday struggles people face. As a physician caring for this community for over 15 years, people have incredibly needed to make impossible decisions between paying for their prescriptions or the everyday cost of living like rent and childcare.
As a working mom, I understand the impossible choices families make every day—balancing the demands of work, childcare, and financial pressures. That’s why I’m running for Congress, to ensure these stories are heard in Washington and to continue building on the work I’ve done in Oregon’s Legislature, creating opportunities for Oregonians to thrive. Families need a voice that truly represents their realities, and I’m committed to being that voice.
What is the most pressing challenge facing your district? What is your proposed solution to that problem? Please be specific.
Across the district, families are struggling with skyrocketing housing costs, making homeownership out of reach for too many and rent unaffordable. We must expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and build more affordable housing across Oregon.
Working families are being squeezed on all fronts—child and eldercare, education, and the rising cost of living are overwhelming. It’s time for bold action to lower the cost of care, while ensuring caregivers can afford to live where they work. Accessible pre-K through community college should be a reality for all Oregonians, alongside opportunities for apprenticeships and good-paying union jobs.
Healthcare is a human right. We need universal, high-quality healthcare that includes affordable prescription drugs and covers dental and vision care. No one should have to choose between their health and financial security. It’s time to fix a broken system and give every Oregonian access to the care and opportunities they deserve.
Who won the 2020 election?
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Will you commit to certify the 2024 election results, regardless of the victor?
Congress’s role in counting electoral votes is critical, but local and state officials are responsible for certifying results. Protecting the integrity of these processes is essential. Our democracy depends on vigilance and action, and I’m committed to ensuring that our democratic principles endure.
Sixteen days before the attack on the U.S. Capitol, I witnessed armed rioters—enabled by a fellow lawmaker—storm Oregon’s state Capitol. Donald Trump’s incitement of the January 6th insurrection after losing a fair election was a dangerous assault on our democracy. The threat of a second Trump term only underscores the need to protect our institutions.
In Congress, I’ll prioritize expanding voting rights and enacting campaign finance reform, building on my work in Oregon. I’ve fought to ensure postmarked ballots are counted, given counties the option to implement ranked-choice voting, and passed the first campaign finance reform law since 1975.
Would you support a federal ban on abortion? Why or why not?
Absolutely not. When the Supreme Court eviscerated over four decades of precedent, they opened the door for extreme politicians to introduce legislation to excerpt control over a woman’s body. As a physician, I know deeply that patients must be able to make medical decisions with the help and guidance of independent clinicians without interference from extreme politicians. That’s why in Oregon, I fought to pass some of the nation’s strongest protections for abortion and reproductive healthcare. In Congress, we must keep fighting to codify Roe, repeal the Hyde Amendment, and expand programs to train clinicians in abortion and reproductive healthcare. Families facing heartbreaking medical complications shouldn’t be further punished, and no one should have to drive hours to access basic healthcare. Every woman deserves the right to make personal medical decisions, and I’ll work to ensure those rights are protected.
Intel has close connections with the Israeli government and the nation itself and its one of the largest employers in the state. What is your stance on the ongoing war in Gaza and Intel’s connections to the region?
What is happening in Gaza is horrific and must come to an end. I have been publicly and on my website calling for a ceasefire in Gaza that puts an end to this conflict and releases all of the hostages for many months. I continue to support calls for a permanent ceasefire, the rush of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and support for Gaza and the Palestinians to rebuild and flourish through a two-state agreement.
Immigration is one of the most prominent issues in the Republican party’s national platform. How has immigration impacted your constituents directly or indirectly? Please be specific. Would you support the bipartisan immigration bill negotiated earlier this year if it returns? Why or why not?
Immigration is deeply personal for many in Oregon’s 3rd district, where immigrant communities are essential to our economy and our culture. From agriculture to small businesses, they strengthen our social fabric, yet too often face legal uncertainty, the threat of family separation, and systemic barriers that harm both individuals and our community.
I support the bipartisan immigration bill because we need a clear pathway to citizenship, protection for DREAMers, and humane treatment at the border, all while safeguarding national security. We must combat drug, gun, and human trafficking, dedicate resources to clear immigration backlogs, and ensure that those who wish to bring their families to our country for better opportunities can do so safely and legally. Any immigration reform must reflect our core values of justice, equity, and opportunity for all. This is about building a system that works for everyone.
The U.S. House of Representatives is fiercely divided and even if Democrats retake the House, it will likely be extremely close in terms of the majority. What is your track record of working with the other party – or people within your own party with whom you disagree – to pass meaningful legislation?
Our community is struggling with many challenges that include opportunities for federal investment and impactful advocacy and our next member of Congress must be prepared to be effective on day one. As the only lawmaker in this race, I am. My experience serving in a divided body passing historic and impactful legislation with strong bipartisan support, makes me uniquely qualified to represent our community. In the legislature, I have been able to pass progressive legislation with bipartisan support through my commitment to listening broadly and intentionally to as many sides of the issue as possible and negotiating effectively. From back-to-back historic housing packages in 2023 and 2024 to 2023’s comprehensive opioid harm reduction package, I’ve repeatedly passed challenging policies with bipartisan support. I have proven my ability to listen, lead and get hard things done and will hit the ground running on day one in D.C.