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Trump selects Rep. Chavez-DeRemer for Labor

Chavez-DeRemer lost reelection bid in Democratic-leaning Oregon district

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Labor secretary, had the endorsement of several unions.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Labor secretary, had the endorsement of several unions. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor secretary.

“Together, we will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families,” Trump said in a statement. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success – Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!”

Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., is a first-term lawmaker who lost her reelection bid to Democrat Janelle Bynum, currently a state representative. Chavez-DeRemer was the first Republican since 1997 to represent the 5th District, which includes part of Portland, the eastern Willamette Valley and encompasses Bend. She conceded a close race to Bynum on Nov. 14.

She garnered support from labor unions during the campaign, including the United Food and Commercial Workers and Teamsters Local 37, according to a story Tuesday in Willamette Week.

“Perhaps most importantly to a president who prizes loyalty, Chavez-DeRemer imperiled her own reelection chances by endorsing Trump — a bold move in the 5th Congressional District, where Democrats hold a 5-point voter registration advantage,” the paper reported.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien told House Republican leaders in a Tuesday meeting that Chavez-DeRemer “would be an excellent choice for Labor Secretary,” Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz wrote in an email.

The Teamsters are backing Chavez-DeRemer in part because she is a co-sponsor of a bill that would facilitate the formation of labor unions. She was one of three Republicans to sign on to the legislation.

“She has been a strong advocate for workers and co-sponsored the PRO Act,” Deniz said. “While there is never a guarantee any candidate for the position will agree with us on every topic, she is forthright and she will listen.”

Chavez-DeRemer’s Capitol Hill experience most directly related to the Labor Department is her service on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. She is a member of the subcommittees on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions; and Higher Education and Workforce Development.

She sponsored several pieces of labor legislation, including a bill that would amend a workforce development law to strengthen technical assistance and support for communities impacted by substance abuse.

A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Chavez-DeRemer also sponsored a bill that would establish an Agriculture Department program for forestry workforce development.

Chavez-DeRemer stressed her independence in her Democratic-leaning district.

“We can’t be one sided – in this divided country, and in this divided Congress, the only way to get good policy done is to work across the aisle,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a June 3 Instagram post.

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