I was dismayed to read July 21 that Boris Wiedenfeld-Needham plans to mount a Democratic Party primary challenge to our two-term Congresswoman Val Hoyle of Eugene. He lists a range of positions he would take as a member of the U.S. House but he doesn’t fault Hoyle on those issues.

Rather, he faults her for voting to table an impeachment resolution aimed at President Trump for his strikes on Iran.

What Democrat would not want Trump ejected from office? Yet, a substantial majority of Democratic delegates to the House, including Hoyle, voted against impeachment.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries so voted, as did the other House Democratic leadership, the whip and the caucus chairman. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also voted to table the resolution. Besides Hoyle, more than half of the Democrats in Oregon’s congressional delegation voted likewise, including Janelle Bynum and Andrea Salinas. Maxine Dexter voted against tabling; Suzanne Bonamici did not vote.

Per an Axios article, mostly progressives in safe districts voted for the impeachment resolution. That characterization would include Dexter, who defeated her closest opponent by more than 42% in 2024. In contrast, Hoyle, won hers by just under 8%; Salinas, by just under 7%; Bynum, by less than 3%.

Those percentages reflect constituent preferences as well as future electoral considerations.

Axios quotes anonymous House Democrats characterizing the impeachment resolution that Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) introduced as “premature,” “a completely unserious and selfish move.” And “most people think it’s unhelpful.”

They write that “the vote forces them to choose between grassroots activists clamoring for impeachment and the broader, more moderate electorate.”

Hoyle represents the politically diverse 4th Congressional District. The measure would fail regardless and could rile up her opponents. A somewhat likely victory in 2026 might become a nail-biter or worse. Better to work with colleagues to improve the lives of her constituents.

Working to improve constituents’ lives is something that Hoyle has been doing for years. Wiedenfeld-Needham’s probable losing of the primary campaign is likely to weaken Hoyle in the general election.

I find the latter prospect dismaying.

Larry Koenigsberg
Eugene