Dr. Maxine Dexter was first elected to this seat in 2024. The district is anchored in Portland and includes Hood River and portions of Multnomah and Clackamas counties.
Prior to Congress, Dr. Dexter was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 33. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, from the University of Washington, and then went on to go to medical school, also from the University of Washington.
In her role as a pulmonologist and critical care physician, she tackled complex and acute health issues by leveraging evidence-based practices, ensuring that her decisions are rooted in science and tailored to achieve the best outcomes for each patient. She says she brings this evidence-based approach to her role as a lawmaker, addressing the issues facing her community.
On Council issues, Rep. Dexter co-sponsored Rep. McGovern’s resolution “urging the United States to lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war and halt and reverse the nuclear arms race” in December. She also co-sponsored multiple War Powers resolutions and signed a letter last Fall opposing President Trump’s push to resume explosive nuclear weapons testing.
Rep. Dexter has voted in favor of limiting President Trump’s future actions in Iran. Earlier this year, Rep. Dexter commented that the war in Iran is unconstitutional and that President Trump has not presented a compelling case or identified an imminent threat that made military action necessary.
