{"id":2250790,"date":"2024-05-22T20:07:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T00:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-put-faith-in-house-candidate-bynum-but-past-support-for-decriminalizing-fentanyl-threatens-chances\/"},"modified":"2024-05-22T20:11:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T00:11:28","slug":"democrats-put-faith-in-house-candidate-bynum-but-past-support-for-decriminalizing-fentanyl-threatens-chances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-put-faith-in-house-candidate-bynum-but-past-support-for-decriminalizing-fentanyl-threatens-chances\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats trust House candidate Bynum, despite previous stance on fentanyl decriminalization jeopardizing chances"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-put-faith-in-house-candidate-bynum-but-past-support-for-decriminalizing-fentanyl-threatens-chances%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2250790&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Janelle Bynum, the Democratic winner of Oregon\u2019s \u200d5th Congressional District primary, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/marriott-att-airbnbheres-the-list-of-corporations-announcing-they-wont-donate-to-gop-lawmakers-who-objected-to-electoral-votes-from-contested-states\/\" title=\"Marriott, AT&#038;T, Airbnb\u2026Here\u2019s The List Of Corporations Announcing They Won\u2019t Donate To GOP Lawmakers Who Objected To Electoral Votes From Contested States\">previously supported<\/a> Measure\u200c 110, which decriminalized drugs. Despite winning voter approval in 2020, recent polls show a shift in sentiment, as many now view the policy \u2064as unsuccessful. Bynum acknowledges the challenges faced and the \u200dneed for improved legislation\u2062 in drug-related matters, reflecting on the \u200cpublic&#8217;s demand for a compassionate yet safe approach to addiction.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democrat<\/a> who recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3012421\/oregon-janelle-bynum-wins-primary-chavez-deremer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>won<\/a> their primary in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/oregon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Oregon\u2019s<\/a> 5th Congressional District, a swing district, previously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/janelle.bynum\/posts\/pfbid0FFKLwRXWU1YRYUi44b5nEk72rH6YJLizFbS1M24tocVue84vepP6Y1HtrEJQ13mfl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>supported<\/a> a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/conservatives-try-to-stop-the-bleeding-on-abortion-ballot-measures\/\" title=\"Conservatives aim to halt abortion ballot measure losses\">passed ballot measure<\/a> that decriminalized <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>drugs<\/a> in the area.<\/p>\n<p>Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum voiced her support for Measure 110, which, after being passed in November 2020, decriminalized most possession of controlled substances.<\/p>\n<p>That ballot measure <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Oregon_Measure_110,_Drug_Decriminalization_and_Addiction_Treatment_Initiative_(2020)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>passed<\/a> 58.5% to 41.5% in the state, with Portland\u2019s Multnomah County offering the most votes in favor at a <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.oregon.gov\/elections\/Documents\/results\/november-general-2020.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>nearly<\/a> 3-to-1 margin. However, Bynum\u2019s previous support for the measure won\u2019t likely appeal so much to voters anymore; a February poll saw <a href=\"https:\/\/fixballotmeasure110.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/OR-M110-August-2023-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>61% of voters<\/a> call the policy a failure.<\/p>\n<p>Twenty-seven percent of those in the poll said the policy needed more time to work. <\/p>\n<p>Bynum noted in her Facebook post that despite telling voters to say yes to the measure, \u201cI think we can get better legislation through the legislature. This was a very hard toss-up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt tells us a couple of things. No. 1, Oregonians are compassionate people,\u201d Bynum said in response to a question about Measure 110 in a November 2023 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t9Qk6_xsOZc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>interview<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cNumber two, it also tells the legislature that the people were hungry for a certain approach. And it\u2019s not the legislature\u2019s job to question the people; it\u2019s the legislature\u2019s job to implement the will of the people. \u2026 And I believe that Oregonians have said, \u2018Hey, we want a compassionate response to drug treatment and addiction. But we also want to make sure, as small business owners, as parents, that our streets are safe and that our loved ones are cared for and our children are not harmed by people in crisis.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Republicans, including Bynum\u2019s competition in incumbent Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer (R-OR), haven\u2019t been fans of the measure. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cCongresswoman Chavez-DeRemer has led the charge against Measure 110 at the federal level,\u201d campaign spokesman Aaron Britt told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cRecognizing the devastating impact decriminalizing hard drugs like fentanyl has had on communities across the state, she\u2019s worked across the aisle to enact proposals to hold drug traffickers accountable and declare a national fentanyl emergency \u2014 opening up federal resources to address this crisis,\u201d Britt added. \u201cShe will continue advocating for commonsense, tough-on-crime policies to support law enforcement and improve public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Chavez-DeRemer also expressed her concerns about the measure in an August 2023 <a href=\"https:\/\/chavez-deremer.house.gov\/sites\/evo-subsites\/chavez-deremer.house.gov\/files\/evo-media-document\/chavez-deremer-to-kotek-addressing-failure-of-measure-110.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>letter<\/a> to Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThree years ago, our constituents voted for a measure they were told would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-says-support-for-oregons-drug-decriminalization-is-imploding\/\" title=\"Poll shows declining support for Oregon's drug decriminalization.\">reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/melania-thanks-those-who-have-supported-be-best-as-she-talks-its-legacy-in-highlights-clip\/\" title=\"Melania Thanks Those Who Have Supported \u2018Be Best\u2019 As She Talks Its \u2018Legacy\u2019 In Highlights Clip\">drug abuse<\/a><\/a>,\u201d she wrote. \u201cInstead, drug abuse has exploded and our neighbors fighting addiction have been left to fend for themselves. \u2026 The message from Oregonians is clear: Time is up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kotek recently <a href=\"https:\/\/katu.com\/news\/local\/governor-kotek-signs-hb-4002-recriminalizing-possession-of-hard-drugs-salem-oregon-portland-multnomah-county-tina-rob-wagner-julie-fahey-jeff-helfrich\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>signed<\/a> HB 4002, which recriminalized hard drugs and rolled back some parts of measure 110. New criminal charges won\u2019t be effective until Sept. 1 though.<\/p>\n<p>Measure 110\u2019s issues are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bendsource.com\/opinion\/a-battle-over-measure-110-and-so-far-no-ones-happy-20537331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>considered<\/a> bipartisan in the state\u2019s legislative chambers, but Republicans and Democrats haven\u2019t found a compromise on acceptable punishments for drug offenders. Neither side can agree on the severity of punishment for offenders.<\/p>\n<p>Unintentional opioid deaths have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/oha\/PH\/PREVENTIONWELLNESS\/SUBSTANCEUSE\/OPIOIDS\/Documents\/quarterly_opioid_overdose_related_data_report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>increased<\/a> every year in Oregon since 2019, with fentanyl a main driver of deaths across the United States due to its lethality.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <em>Cook Political Report<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/ratings\/house-race-ratings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>rated<\/a> the OR-05 race as a \u201cRepublican Toss-Up,\u201d as the district was held by Democrats for years until Chavez-DeRemer took office in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> contacted Bynum\u2019s campaign but did not receive a response.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oregon&#8217;s 5th Congressional District primary winner, Democrat Janelle Bynum, backed Measure 110, decriminalizing drugs, in a swing district. Passed in Nov 2020, Measure 110 decriminalized most controlled substance possession<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2250791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24138652345852-1-1024x592.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2250790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24138652345852-1-1024x592.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2250790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2250790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2250790\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2250791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2250790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2250790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2250790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}