Val T. Hoyle

In the 2024 House race for OR-4, Val Hoyle (D) won with 51.7% of the vote, defeating Monique DeSpain (R) who received 43.9%. 3 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Val Hoyle's 7.8-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

As the incumbent, Val Hoyle benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. This seat will likely stay on party watch lists as potentially competitive in future cycles.

In the 2022 House race for OR-4, Val Hoyle (D) won with 50.5% of the vote, defeating Alek Skarlatos (R) who received 43.1%. 4 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Val Hoyle's 7.5-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Peter A. DeFazio (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Democrat, Val Hoyle won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office). This seat will likely stay on party watch lists as potentially competitive in future cycles.