Maxine Dexter

  • U.S. House
  • Oregon

Called to a Higher Purpose

At an early age, Dr. Maxine Dexter knew there was a calling to her life greater than her mind could imagine. She found refuge in her local community and school as her family struggled financially and her grandmother dealt with diabetes. As a fifth grader, Dexter was introduced to the idea of going to college by her teacher – something that she never considered because no one in her family attended college. It was at this moment that Dexter decided that she would dedicate her life to becoming a doctor and helping others. 

Dexter attended the University of Washington, where she received a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication, and later received her medical degree. She is a physician at Kaiser Permanente and lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children. 

Making a Difference for Oreganians

In 2020, Dexter was appointed and later elected to House District 33 in the Oregon House of Representatives. During her time in the Oregon House she introduced legislation to expand access to naloxone — the opioid antidote medication — to allow first responders to distribute the drug to the general public and decriminalize fentanyl test strips. The bill was signed into law on August 8, 2023. That year, she was appointed to serve as the chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness, where she helped pass a $200 million spending bill on housing and homelessness issues. Dexter also serves on the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care, an​d the House Committee on Emergency Management, ​General Government, and Veterans​​. As a physician and a mother, Dexter understands firsthand the necessity of affordable reproductive care. In the Oregon state Legislature, she supported a bill to protect doctors and medical professionals from prosecution for providing abortions or gender-affirming care, including prohibiting the Oregon courts from working with other jurisdictions to impede individuals from receiving or providing abortion care. Dexter has proven she is committed  to protecting abortion access and reproductive health care across our nation through legislative action.

Safeguard the Blue Hold 

Dexter is seeking election to Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, which is currently held by Rep. Earl Blumenauer. As a physician, Dexter knows how personal the discussions regarding reproductive care are for women and their families. She will stand up for not only her constituents, but her patients against Republican extremists working to eliminate our reproductive rights. We need Dexter in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure abortion access for all. EMILYs List is proud to support her during this election and we are confident she will fight on behalf of all Oreganians.