This GOP Candidate in This Tight Race Is Secretly Another Party’s Candidate Too

“I’m really excited about her being our candidate,” Oregon Constitution Party Chair Roger Shipman told NOTUS.

A tabletop signage copy of the U.S. Constitution
A pocket Constitution is displayed at a conference. Andrew Harnik/AP

As the GOP tries to flip Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle’s Oregon district, Republicans have high hopes for their candidate, Monique DeSpain.

The National Republican Congressional Committee named DeSpain a “young gun,” opening up access to a number of donors. Mike Johnson’s leadership PAC shelled out $10,000 to the campaign since May. And NRCC Chair Richard Hudson hosted a swanky fundraiser for DeSpain in August, when top tickets cost $6,600.

DeSpain’s campaign website paints her as a run-of-the-mill Republican, running on this cycle’s run-of-the-mill Republican issues like immigration, crime and the economy. They are presenting her as just the type of Republican who might topple an embattled, vulnerable Democrat in a lean-blue district.