Who's In the Race

Democrat Val Hoyle and Republican Monique DeSpain face each other in Oregon's 4th U.S. House District. Hoyle, the incumbent, won her party's primary on May 19, with 76.4 percent of the Democratic vote. DeSpain won the Republican primary the same day with 87.6 percent of the vote. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

What They Stand For

Hoyle says she supports safeguarding abortion access and reproductive health care. She says she supports apprenticeship programs as a path to living-wage employment and helped pass paid sick leave. Hoyle says she introduced legislation to protect vote-by-mail and help other states adopt Oregon's model. She presents herself as a leader focused on working families, drawing on her background in organized labor, the state legislature, the Oregon labor commissioner's office, and Congress.

DeSpain says she supports securing the border, removing people who threaten the country, creating a rigorous legal pathway for long-settled law-abiding immigrants, and preventing a recurrence of what she describes as the current border crisis. She says she opposes a federal abortion ban and supports federal protections for in-vitro fertilization and contraception.

DeSpain says she would prioritize public safety and ensure that law enforcement has the authority and resources needed to keep communities safe. She describes herself as a retired Air Force colonel, mother, and public-policy advocate who seeks "common sense" and results-oriented leadership.

The Money Behind the Race

Outside spending committees have directed $292,472 toward the Democratic side of this race, as of Oct. 5. All $292,472 of that spending supports candidates rather than opposing them.

Two committees account for all of the outside spending: Think Big leads with $292,419, followed by GiveGreen United Action at $53.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all rate this race "Solid Democratic," as of Sept. 25, Sept. 29, and Oct. 2, respectively. Kalshi's prediction market, as of Oct. 5, puts the probability of a Democratic win at 91.6 percent and a Republican win at 8.4 percent.

Hoyle won the district in 2022 with 50.5 percent of the vote and again in 2024 with 51.7 percent. Democrat Kamala Harris carried Oregon in the 2024 presidential election with 55.3 percent of the vote.

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