Career Timeline of Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 19, 2026

Discover the career path of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district from 2023 to 2025 and as the 30th United States Secretary of Labor starting in 2025. A Republican, she was also the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, from 2011 to 2019. Her career reflects involvement in both local and national politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: Elected to city council

In 2004, Chavez-DeRemer was elected to the city council of Happy Valley, Oregon.

2010: Elected Mayor

In 2010, Chavez-DeRemer was elected as mayor.

2011: Mayor of Happy Valley

In 2011, Lori Chavez-DeRemer became the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon.

2014: Reelected Mayor

In 2014, Chavez-DeRemer was reelected as mayor.

2016: Lost election to Janelle Bynum

In 2016, Chavez-DeRemer lost the election to Janelle Bynum for Oregon House District 51.

June 2017: Formed a political action committee

In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed a political action committee to explore a gubernatorial bid in 2018.

October 2017: Announced she would not run for governor

In October 2017, Chavez-DeRemer announced she would not run for governor in a YouTube video.

March 2018: Announced intention to run for House District 51

In March 2018, Chavez-DeRemer announced her intention to run for House District 51 again.

2018: Considered gubernatorial bid

In 2018, Chavez-DeRemer explored a possible gubernatorial bid.

2018: Served as Mayor

In 2018, Chavez-DeRemer served as Mayor.

2019: End of term as mayor

In 2019, Lori Chavez-DeRemer's term as mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, came to an end.

May 2022: Won Republican primary

In May 2022, Chavez-DeRemer won the Republican primary for Oregon's 5th congressional district.

August 2023: Opposed the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act

In August 2023, Chavez-DeRemer, as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, was one of five House Republicans who signed a letter opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023 farm bill.

2023: Served as U.S. representative

From 2023, Lori Chavez-DeRemer served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district.

2023: Cosponsored legislation

In 2023, Chavez-DeRemer cosponsored legislation to reform federal cannabis laws and voted to express support for Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack.

September 2024: Signed letter soliciting recommendations to outcompete China

In September 2024, Chavez-DeRemer was one of 11 House Republicans who signed a letter soliciting recommendations for the United States to outcompete China in the development of biotechnologies including cultivated meat.

September 2024: Signed bipartisan letter

In September 2024, Chavez-DeRemer was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter pledging to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.

November 22, 2024: Nominated as U.S. Secretary of Labor

On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Chavez-DeRemer to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

2024: Ran for reelection

In 2024, Chavez-DeRemer ran for reelection against Democratic nominee Janelle Bynum, ultimately losing the race.

2024: Defeated by Janelle Bynum

In 2024, Chavez-DeRemer was defeated by Democrat Janelle Bynum.

February 2025: Stated abortion stance

As of February 2025, Chavez-DeRemer stated that she personally opposes abortion but would oppose a national abortion ban and supports IVF treatments.

February 19, 2025: Appeared before the Senate Committee

On February 19, 2025, Chavez-DeRemer appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

February 27, 2025: Nomination advanced

On February 27, 2025, The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions advanced Chavez-DeRemer's nomination in a 14–9 vote.

March 10, 2025: Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor

On March 10, 2025, Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the U.S. Secretary of Labor with a vote of 67–32.

March 11, 2025: Sworn in as United States Secretary of Labor

On March 11, 2025, Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the 30th United States Secretary of Labor.

August 2025: Praised Trump for firing Erika McEntarfer

In August 2025, Chavez-DeRemer praised Trump for firing Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), after the BLS published a jobs report with poor jobs numbers.