Maxine_Dexter
Maxine Dexter
American politician (born 1972)
Maxine Elizabeth Dexter (née Johnson, born December 5, 1972) is an American physician and politician serving as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives. She was appointed in June 2020 after the death of Mitch Greenlick. She represents the 33rd district, which covers the Northwest District and Northwest Heights of Portland, as well as Cedar Mill, Oak Hills, and most of Bethany.
Maxine Dexter | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 33rd district | |
| Assumed office June 14, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Mitch Greenlick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maxine Elizabeth Johnson (1972-12-05) December 5, 1972 (age 51) Bothell, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Washington (BA, MD) |
| Signature | |
Dexter grew up in Bothell, Washington. 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3] She won the Democratic primary to succeed Greenlick on May 17, 2020, with 40% of the vote, defeating three other candidates, including Christina Stephenson.[4] Greenlick died on May 15, so Dexter was appointed to finish out his term a month later.[5]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dexter treated patients with the disease, and wrote a letter urging Governor Kate Brown to close Oregon schools in April 2020.[6]
On December 5, 2023, Dexter announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Oregon's 3rd congressional district.[7]
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.[3]
In 2023 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.[8] The bill was signed into law on August 8.[9]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maxine E Dexter | 33,707 | 75.6 | |
| Republican | Dick Courter | 10,796 | 24.2 | |
| Write-in | 59 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 44,562 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maxine E Dexter | 26,154 | 84.8 | |
| Republican | Stan Baumhofer | 4,651 | 15.1 | |
| Write-in | 30 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 30,835 | 100% | ||
- "Oregon Secretary Of State". secure.sos.state.or.us. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Maxine E. Dexter, MD". Kaiser Permanente. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- Wong, Peter (February 13, 2020). "Maxine Dexter seeks open House District 33 seat". Beaverton Valley Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- Sickinger, Ted (May 19, 2020). "Maxine Dexter wins four-way primary to represent parts of Washington County and Northwest Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- "Maxine Dexter sworn in to Oregon House District 33 seat, will serve remainder of Mitch Greenlick's term". Statesman Journal. June 15, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- "WW's May 2020 Endorsements for Oregon Legislature". Willamette Week. April 29, 2020. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- Jaquiss, Nigel (December 5, 2023). "State Rep. Maxine Dexter Announces Her Candidacy for Oregon's 3rd Congressional District". Willamette Week. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- VanderHart, Dirk (March 6, 2023). "An overdose-reversal drug could become far more accessible in Oregon". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- Hayden, Nicole (August 8, 2023). "Gov. Kotek signs 6 bills targeting addiction, mental health crises". The Oregonian. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.