Maxine Dexter

Maxine Elizabeth Dexter (née Johnson, born December 5, 1972) is an American physician and politician who served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2020 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, she was appointed in June 2020 after the death of Mitch Greenlick. She formerly represented the 33rd district, which covers the Northwest District and Northwest Heights of Portland, as well as Cedar Mill, Oak Hills, and most of Bethany.

On November 5, 2024, Dexter was elected to the United States House of Representatives representing Oregon's 3rd district.

Early life and education

Dexter grew up in Bothell, Washington and graduated from Inglemoor High School. She received her bachelor's degree in political science and communication from the University of Washington, and her MD from that university's School of Medicine.

Medical career

Dexter served her medical residency in Aurora, Colorado, and moved to Portland with her husband in 2008. She works as a pulmonologist with Kaiser Permanente in Hillsboro. In 2023, it was reported that she would continue to work part-time at Kaiser Permanente as a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist during her congressional run.

Oregon House of Representatives

Dexter ran to succeed Mitch Greenlick as representative for the 33rd district in the Oregon House of Representatives in the 2020 election. Dexter said she was inspired to run for office following the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearing, during which Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, which he forcefully denied.

She won the Democratic primary to succeed Greenlick on May 17, 2020, with 40% of the vote, defeating three other candidates, including Christina Stephenson. Greenlick died on May 15, so Dexter was appointed to finish out his term a month later. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dexter treated patients with the disease, and wrote a letter urging Oregon Governor Kate Brown to close Oregon schools in April 2020. She was reelected in the 2022 election. On July 31, 2024, Dexter announced she would resign from the legislature to focus on her campaign for Congress, effective August 30.

As a representative, Dexter introduced a bill expanding access to the opioid antidote medication naloxone, allowing first responders to distribute the drug to members of the general public, and decriminalizing fentanyl test strips. The bill was signed into law on August 8.

In 2023, Dexter served as chair of the House Housing and Homelessness Committee in the legislature. She was credited with helping to pass a $200 million spending bill on housing and homelessness issues.

2024 congressional candidacy

On December 5, 2023, Dexter announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Oregon's 3rd congressional district to succeed retiring Representative Earl Blumenauer. Dexter stated in an interview that she planned to run for Congress since she was 20.

In the primary, she faced opposition from former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales. She was the top recipient of independent expenditure spending in the primary, with 314 Action spending about $2.2 million in total on independent expenditures in support of her campaign. She received endorsements from politicians including Dan Rayfield, who served as speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2022 to 2024. She was also endorsed by The Oregonian and the Willamette Week. Dexter ultimately won the Democratic primary.

On November 5, 2024, Dexter defeated Republican nominee Joanna Harbour in the general election.

Political positions

Dexter supports the transition to a single-payer health care system. She also supports greater protections for employees, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increased money for public housing, and stricter gun control. Dexter opposes efforts to condition U.S. aid to Israel amid the ongoing Israel–Hamas war but supports a negotiated cease-fire and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Electoral history