Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Keith Sonderling
Preceded byMarty Walsh
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 5th district
In office
January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded byKurt Schrader
Succeeded byJanelle Bynum
Mayor of Happy Valley
In office
January 18, 2011 – January 15, 2019
Preceded byRob Wheeler
Succeeded byTom Ellis
Personal details
Born
Lori Michelle Chávez

(1968-04-07) April 7, 1968 (age 56)
Santa Clara, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Shawn DeRemer
​
(m. 1991)​
Children2
RelativesStuart Erwin (great-granduncle)
EducationCalifornia State University, Fresno (BBA)

Lori Michelle Chavez-DeRemer (

United States secretary of labor since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, she served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district from 2023 to 2025 and as the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon
, from 2011 to 2019.

She is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the House. Additionally, she is one of the first two Hispanic women (alongside Andrea Salinas) elected to the United States Congress from Oregon. Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the House before being defeated in 2024 by Democrat Janelle Bynum.

On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer as secretary of labor. Chavez-DeRemer was the only Republican co-sponsor and one of three congressional Republicans to support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act),[1] though she partially walked back her support during her labor secretary confirmation hearing in 2025. The act would give workers more advantages when organizing or joining unions and bargaining with employers.[1][2] Her nomination was backed by Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, who praised her support of the PRO Act and thanked Trump for the pick, but faced opposition from some business groups.[2][3] She was confirmed by the Senate on March 10, 2025, by a vote of 67–32.

Early life and education

Born on April 7, 1968, in Santa Clara, California, Chavez-DeRemer grew up in Hanford, California, and was raised by her father, Richard Chavez, described as a "Mexican American Teamster".[4][5] Chavez-DeRemer graduated from Hanford High School in 1986.[6][7][8] She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University, Fresno.[9]

Early political career

Chavez-DeRemer was elected to the city council of Happy Valley, Oregon, in 2004.[7] She was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. She served as mayor until 2018.[10]

In 2016, after incumbent Shemia Fagan opted not to seek reelection to her seat in Oregon House District 51, Chavez-DeRemer filed to run as a Republican, and won the primary unopposed.[11] She lost by 564 votes to restaurateur Janelle Bynum in the November general election, in what was the most expensive state House race in Oregon of 2016.[12][13]

In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed a political action committee to explore a gubernatorial bid in 2018.[14] In October 2017, she announced in a YouTube video that she would not run for governor, clearing the primary for eventual nominee Knute Buehler.[15][16]

In March 2018, Chavez-DeRemer announced her intention to again run for House District 51.[17] She was unopposed in the Republican primary. She again lost to Bynum, by 2,223 votes.[18][19]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon § District 5
Portrait of Chavez-DeRemer during the 118th Congress

Chavez-DeRemer won the May 2022 Republican primary for Oregon's 5th congressional district. The district, which had been represented for seven terms by moderate Democrat Kurt Schrader, was significantly altered in redistricting after Oregon gained a House seat. It lost its share of the Pacific coastline and the state capital of Salem, but stretched further south to gain rapidly-growing Bend. Schrader lost the Democratic primary to progressive Jamie McLeod-Skinner and refused to endorse her in the general election.

Chavez-DeRemer defeated McLeod-Skinner in the November 8 general election.[20][21]

Both Chavez-DeRemer and McLeod-Skinner lived just outside the district at the time of the election. Under the U.S. Constitution, members of the U.S. House must be residents of their state, but do not have to live in the district.[22]

2024

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon § District 5

Chavez-DeRemer ran for reelection in 2024 against Democratic nominee Janelle Bynum. The race was considered one of the most competitive in the U.S. House and drew more than $26 million in outside spending. The race was called for Bynum on Friday, November 8.[23]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Secretary of Labor (2025–present)

Nomination and confirmation

On November 22, 2024, President Donald Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer as his secretary of labor.[26] She appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on February 19, 2025.[27] When asked by multiple senators about the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which she co-sponsored while serving in Congress, Chavez-DeRemer stated that she no longer supported provisions overturning state right to work laws and did not provide a direct answer as to whether she still supported the bill as a whole.[28] The committee advanced her nomination in a 14–9 vote on February 27.[29] She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 67–32 vote on March 10.[30]

Tenure

Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the 30th United States Secretary of Labor on March 11, 2025.

Political positions

Chavez-DeRemer is described by The New York Times as "a mainstream Republican" who pitches herself as an independent thinker.[31]

Chavez-DeRemer voted to provide Israel with support following the

2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[32][33]

Chavez-DeRemer was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter spearheaded by centrist members of the House of Representatives in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.[34]

Chavez-DeRemer, along with Democratic minority leader

federal cannabis laws. She also cosponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which would expand the power of public sector unions.[35]

Chavez-DeRemer was the only Republican co-sponsor and one of three congressional Republicans to support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) strongly opposed by business groups.[1] The act would give workers more advantages when organizing or joining unions and bargaining with employers, also weakening state right-to-work laws.[1][2] She was supported by Teamsters President Sean O'Brien for the position of Secretary of Labor, who thanked President-elect Trump for the nomination, noting her support of the PRO Act.[2] Her nomination was opposed by some business interest groups.[3]

She stated that she personally opposes abortion but would oppose a national abortion ban and supports IVF treatments. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a group that opposes abortion, scored her views with a B.[36]

Personal life

Chavez-DeRemer is married to Shawn DeRemer, an

anesthesiologist. They have two children and live in Happy Valley.[37]

Chavez-DeRemer is a Roman Catholic.[38]

Electoral history

2024

2024 Oregon’s 5th congressional district general election[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janelle Bynum 191,365 47.7
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) 180,420 45.0
Independent
 Brett Smith 18,665 4.7
Libertarian Sonja Feintech 6,193 1.5
Pacific Green Andrea Thorn Townsend 4,155 1.0
Write-in 495 0.1
Total votes 401,293 100%
2024 Oregon’s 5th congressional district Republican primary[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) 54,458 98.18
Republican Write-in 1,009 1.81
Total votes 55,467 100.0

2022

2022 Oregon’s 5th congressional district general election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 178,813 50.91
Democratic Jamie McLeod-Skinner 171,514 48.83
Write-in 906 0.26
Total votes 351,233 100.0
2022 Oregon's 5th congressional district Republican primary[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 30,438 42.77
Republican Jimmy Crumpacker 20,631 28.99
Republican John Di Paola 11,486 16.14
Republican Laurel L. Roses 6,321 8.88
Republican Madison Oatman 1,863 2.62
Republican Write-in 429 0.60
Total votes 71,168 100.0

2018

2018 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district election[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janelle Bynum (incumbent) 14,843 53.92
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 12,620 45.85
Write-in 63 0.23
Total votes 27,526 100.0
2018 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district Republican primary[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 2,453 97.77
Republican Write-in 56 2.23
Total votes 2,509 100.0

2016

2016 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district election[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janelle Bynum 14,310 50.85
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 13,746 48.85
Write-in 86 0.30
Total votes 28,142 100.0
2016 Oregon House of Representatives 51st district Republican primary[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer 3,255 96.14
Republican Write-in 96 2.86
Total votes 3,351 100.0

2014

Happy Valley mayoral election, 2014[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan
 		Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) 3,682 94.63
Write-in 209 5.37
Total votes 3,891 100.0

2010

Happy Valley mayoral election, 2010[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan
 		Lori DeRemer 2,749 94.63
Write-in 156 5.37
Total votes 2,905 100.0

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dubberly, David E. (November 26, 2024). "Who is Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President-elect Trump's Pick for Secretary of Labor?". MaynardNexsen. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  2. ^
    NPR. Archived
    from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gurley, Lauren Kaori (November 22, 2024). "Trump picks Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon for labor secretary". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ Kim, E. Tammy (February 12, 2025). "Donald Trump's Pro-Union Labor Secretary". The New Yorker.
  5. ^ Farah, Lynn (February 23, 2025). "Meet Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump's pick for labour secretary who Democrats like: from growing up in a farming community, to becoming a mayor in Oregon and Trump's choice – for her pro-union stance". South China Morning Post.
  6. ^ Stone, Reid (November 24, 2024). "Trump taps Hanford native, Fresno St. grad Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary". San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Candidate Information: Lori Chavez-DeRemer". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "Incoming Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer". LegiStorm. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  9. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. November 2, 2022. Archived
    from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  10. ^ "Lori Chavez-DeRemer". National Republican Congressional Committee. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  11. ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (November 8, 2016). "What's an Open Oregon House Seat Worth? Try Nearly $2 Million". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  12. Oregon Capital Chronicle. Archived
    from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Oregon's Most Expensive House Race Will End With Narrow Victory for Janelle Bynum". Willamette Week. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  14. Clackamas Review. Archived
    from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Hillary Borrud | The (October 10, 2017). "Happy Valley mayor won't run for governor in 2018". oregonlive. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Rendleman, Raymond (October 10, 2017). "Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer won't run against Rep. Knute Buehler". ClackamasReview.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer running for House". The Oregon Catalyst. March 7, 2018. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Miner, Colin (November 8, 2018). "Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer". Across America, US Patch. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer". Across America, US Patch. November 8, 2018. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  20. The Oregonian/OregonLive. Archived
    from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  21. AP News. Archived
    from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  22. Oregon Capital Insider. Archived
    from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  23. ^ Dole, Bryce (November 8, 2024). "Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon's most high-profile US House district". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  24. ^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  25. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Chavez-Deremer. January 3, 2023. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  26. ^ "Donald J. Trump has picked Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his labor secretary".
  27. ^ Duster, Chandelis; Hernandez, Joe (February 19, 2025). "Trump's labor pick Lori Chavez-DeRemer faces questions on unions, Musk and immigration". NPR. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  28. ^ Bussewitz, Cathy (February 19, 2025). "Senators question labor nominee Chavez-DeRemer's allegiance in confirmation hearing". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Associated Press. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  29. ^ Hunter, Kathleen; Kight, Stef W. (February 27, 2025). "Chavez-DeRemer's labor chief nomination advances with Dem support". Axios. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  30. Waste Dive
    . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  31. ^ "Tracking the House's Most Competitive Races".
  32. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived
    from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  33. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024). "6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results". The Hill. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Timotija, Filip (November 23, 2024). "5 things to know about Trump's pick to lead the Labor Department". The Hill. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  36. ^ "Trump's labor nominee once worked at Planned Parenthood, risking further GOP ire". NBC News. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  37. ^ "Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Congress". Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2023.
  39. ^ "November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "May 21, 2024, Primary Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State.
  41. ^ "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  42. ^ "May 17, 2022, Primary Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  43. ^ "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  44. ^ "May 15, 2018, Primary Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  45. ^ "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  46. ^ "May 17, 2016, Primary Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  47. ^ "Clackamas County, Oregon General Election Results 2014". Clackamas County Elections. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  48. ^ "Nov. 2, 2010 General Election Final Results". Clackamas County Elections. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 5th congressional district
2023–2025 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Julie Su
Acting
 United States Secretary of Labor
2025–present 		Incumbent
Order of precedence
Preceded byas United States Secretary of Commerce Order of precedence of the United States
as Secretary of Labor 		Succeeded byas United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
U.S. presidential line of succession
Preceded byas United States Secretary of Commerce Eleventh in line
as Secretary of Labor 		Succeeded byas United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lori_Chavez-DeRemer&oldid=1282903329"