Decision 2026: WATCH – Candidates for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District Debate on KTVZ
Editor's Note: This debate aired at 6 pm on October 14, 2026 on KTVZ-TV
6:55 pm - Patti Adair's closing statement.
6:54 pm - Janelle Bynum's closing statement.
6:51 pm - Aaron Switzer asks how you would balance the needs of urban and suburban workers with the needs of rural workers? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Bynum has a rebuttal, Adair follows with a rebuttal.
6:48 pm - Spencer Sacks asks what changes, if any, would you support to medicaid? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal, Bynum follows with a rebuttal.
6:44 pm - Aaron Switzer asks what healthcare investments would you prioritize in rural communities? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Bynum has a rebuttal, Adair follows with a rebuttal.
6:43 pm - Spencer Sacks has a follow-up -- how do we balance federal support for healthcare programs such as medicare without adding to the federal deficit? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second.
6:40 pm - Spencer Sacks asks what would you do in congress to keep health insurance affordable? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal, Bynum follows with a rebuttal.
6:36 pm - Aaron Switzer asks which public safety needs in the district should receive priority for federal support? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Bynum has a rebuttal, Adair follows with a rebuttal.
6:32 pm - Spencer Sacks asks what specific federal funding change would you pursue to improve wildfire prevention? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal, Bynum follows with a rebuttal.
6:28 pm - Aaron Switzer asks how would you ensure that communities facing wildfire loss receive timely federal support? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Bynum has a rebuttal, Adair follows with a rebuttal.
6:25 pm - Spencer Sacks asks the roadless rule -- how would you manage federal lands while balancing forest thinning, logging jobs, wildlife risk? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal, Bynum follows with a rebuttal.
6:21 pm - Aaron Switzer asks how should federal policy help local governments expand housing? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal, Bynum follows with a rebuttal.
6:18 pm - Spencer Sacks asks what federal transportation investments would you prioritize? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Bynum has a rebuttal, Adair follows with a rebuttal.
6:15 pm - Aaron Switzer asks what process would you use to decide which projects deserve federal funding? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal.
6:12 pm - Spencer Sacks asks about the federal deficit -- how would you balance reducing the deficit with funding infrastructure? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Sacks asks a follow-up to clarify what actions would they take? Adair replies, Bynum replies second.
6:08 pm - Aaron Switzer asks what is one specific issue affecting the district you would be willing to work across the aisle on? Adair replies first, Bynum replies second. Adair has a rebuttal, Bynum follows with a rebuttal.
6:05 pm - Spencer Sacks asks what measurable commitments would you make for your first year? Bynum replies first, Adair replies second. Bynum has a rebuttal, Adair follows with a rebuttal.
6:03 pm - Janelle Bynum's opening statement.
6:01 pm - Patti Adair's opening statement.
5:58 pm - The debate has begun on KTVZ News on NBC, KTVZ.com, and KTVZ+
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As part of KTVZ News' debate series, The Central Oregon Debates, this week KTVZ News will host the candidates for Oregon's 5th Congressional District.
Candidates Patti Adair and Janelle Bynum are scheduled to appear LIVE on Wednesday at 6:00 pm.
The forum will be moderated by Lee Anderson. The broadcast panel will feature Spencer Sacks, KTVZ’s political reporter, and Aaron Switzer, founder and publisher of The Source.
This event offers the candidates an opportunity to address critical issues facing Oregon's 5th Congressional District, and outline their strategic priorities for voters ahead of the upcoming election.
Viewers can tune in to the 5th Congressional District debate this Wednesday at 6:00 pm on NBC or stream the event live via KTVZ.com, the KTVZ News App and KTVZ+.
