Pro-Israel activists in Portland, Ore., are bracing for what could be a bitterly divided House race as longtime Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) prepares to retire at the end of his current term, opening up a rare vacancy in one of the state’s most progressive districts. Among those entering the race are Susheela Jayapal, a former Multnomah County commissioner whose younger sister is Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). State Rep. Maxine Dexter is said to also be a likely candidate to enter the race.
According to an interview with Sharon Meieran, the lone Jewish commissioner on Multnomah County’s board, Rep. Dexter recently attended a local Zioness event.
“I can’t speak to her views on Israel, but I was impressed that she attended an event hosted by Congregation Beth Israel in Portland last night to learn about the Zioness movement,” Meieran told JI on Saturday. “The focus was on intersectional identities and how standing up for social justice and Zionism are not mutually exclusive, but rather are inextricably linked. Showing up and being willing to listen and learn matters, now more than ever, and Maxine walks that walk.”