With the balance of power on the line in Congress, Oregon's hotly contested fifth Congressional district race is in the national spotlight.

Neutral polls show it's a contest that is too close to call. Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner, who defeated incumbent Kurt Schrader in the primary, is going head to head with Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer. One certainty in the race is that Oregon will add another woman to its Congressional delegation to join Democrat Suzanne Bonamici, who represents the state's first district.

McLeod-Skinner is a Terrebonne attorney and part-time emergency preparedness coordinator, as well as a board member of the Jefferson County Education District. Chavez-DeRemer served as mayor of Happy Valley from 2010 to 2018. She and her husband co-founded Anesthesia Associates Northwest, and own health and wellness clinics that treat drug resistant depression.

The two candidates appeared separately on this week's edition of "Straight Talk" to make their case to voters on why they believe they are the best fit for the vast and diverse district.