Janelle Bynum Faces Allegations of Covering Up Sexual Assault

Janelle Bynum, a Democratic Congressional candidate in Oregon's 5th District, is embroiled in a scandal following allegations that she ignored claims of sexual assault involving a minor volunteer in her 2022 campaign. The accusations were made in a complaint filed by Kelie McWilliams, a former campaign manager for Bynum's primary opponent, which asserts that Bynum willfully covered up the incident. Bynum has vigorously denied the allegations, labeling them as a smear campaign and stating that she reported the claims to Future PAC, the committee overseeing campaign staffing. The complaint alleges that Bynum's response to the allegations was dismissive and included threatening messages to staff members who raised concerns. Despite the serious nature of the claims, some reports indicate a lack of evidence that Bynum was aware of the allegations at the time. The controversy comes at a critical juncture in a tightly contested race that could impact control of the U.S. House.