Free Republic

Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Oregon labor and civil rights attorney Aruna Masih as a justice to the state’s Supreme Court. “As a practicing attorney, Aruna will bring direct and recent experience working for people — an invaluable perspective that will strengthen the current Oregon Supreme Court,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. . . She does not have judicial experience, but told OPB during an interview she doesn’t believe that will be an issue as she joins the state’s high court.

The project includes updating the utility service with backup emergency dual natural gas and propane. Adds a full building services generator to the facility for power, should normal utility power fail. ... Democrat Governor Tina Kotek, who previously promised to cut the state’s use of natural gas, is having a dual natural gas and propane backup generator installed at Mahonia Hall, the official residence of the Oregon governor. According to the official bid, “The project includes updating the utility service with backup emergency dual natural gas and propane. Adds a full building services generator to the facility for power, should...

The top job at Oregon State Police has gone to Casey Codding, one of two state police troopers who fatally shot a leader of the armed Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation in January 2016, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Monday. Codding, a 27-year veteran of Oregon State Police, shot Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum in the back after Finicum sped his truck toward a roadblock of state SWAT police and FBI agents. State police withheld the names of the two officers who fired at Finicum, but a witness let Codding’s name slip during subsequent court hearings about the shooting. Now superintendent, Codding started...

Oregon is typically known as a bastion of West Coast liberalism, where Democrats are easily elected and a Republican hasn’t served as governor since the early 1980s. But with an unusually competitive three-way contest for governor, the Democratic candidate’s success is hardly a guarantee this year. As mail-in ballots become available to voters next week, Oregon is becoming the unlikely site of one of the most competitive governor’s races in the country. The main reason for the race’s unpredictability is Betsy Johnson, a longtime former Democratic lawmaker with a fondness for salty language who is aiming to become the first...

President Joe Biden beat Donald Trump by 61 points in Multnomah County in 2020, which may explain why Democratic nominee for governor Tina Kotek has enlisted the president for a fundraiser this Saturday. Drazan (Republican), meanwhile, is also bringing in some out-of-town talent: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will be in Aurora on Oct. 18 for a rally.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to campaign for Democrats in Oregon as their candidates are struggling in a normally safe state. The president will campaign in Portland on behalf of Democrat candidates on Friday, participating in a grassroots volunteer event. Biden’s visit is a political effort to boost Tina Kotek, a Democrat candidate for governor who is in danger of losing to Republican Christie Drazan. “The DC political class is in full panic mode to rescue Tina Kotek’s failing and flailing campaign,” Drazan’s communications director told local media ahead of the president’s visit.

Voters in deep blue Oregon are leaning toward Republican Christine Drazan in the state’s “toss-up” gubernatorial race, three consecutive polls have shown. The most recent poll, from Nelson Research, shows Former Oregon House Republican leader Drazan leading former Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D) 33.4 percent to 31.5 percent, which is within the survey’s ±3.9 percent margin of error. Roughly 19 percent of 620 likely voters support Betsy Johnson, a former Democrat state senator who is running as an independent

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted the Oregon gubernatorial race toward Republicans on Friday, moving it from “lean Democrat” to “toss up.” Three candidates are vying for the seat of Gov. Kate Brown (D), who is term-limited: former state House Speaker Tina Kotek (D), former state House Minority Leader Christine Drazan (R) and former state Sen. Betsy Johnson (I). Cook Political Report attributed its ratings change to the fact that Johnson could act as a disruptor in the race given her fundraising advantage and her TV ad spending, leading to tied polling between Kotek and Drazan. “There’s a clear trend...

A shocking new poll puts Republican Christine Drazan just slightly ahead of Democrat Tina Kotek in the Oregon governor’s race. Conducted between May 25-27, the new poll from Nelson Research showed Drazan had 29.5 percent of support out of 516 likely voters,while Kotek had just 27.5 percent of support with a margin of error of 4.3 percent. Independent Betsy Johnson trails with just 19.4 percent of support.

Tina Kotek, a Democrat who is expected to be the next shoo-in governor of Oregon, expressed support for far-left violent rioters in Portland. Her top staffer was even arrested at a riot. She lists being a lesbian as an accomplishment on her campaign site. Link to article: https://thepostmillennial.com/oregon-gubernatorial-candidate-expressed-support-for-violent-portland-rioters?utm_campaign=64470

Oregon’s house speaker Tina Kotek (D.) defended her staffer who was arrested in Portland this weekend for interfering with police during a riot. Kristina Narayan, Kotek’s legislative director, was arrested along with 58 others during a demonstration that broke out Saturday night in which rioters threw firebombs, rocks, and mortars toward police officers. Kotek, who is also on the board of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, defended her staffer for practicing "freedom of expression." "Freedom of expression is the foundation of our democracy. Every person—including members of my staff—has the right to stand up for what they believe and engage...

PORTLAND, Ore. — In a short letter issued Thursday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown said it was time elected officials and community leaders come together to condemn the acts in violence in Portland. The letter mentions there is no place for white supremacy or vigilantism in Oregon, but fails to mention the attacks on police or arson fires set by demonstrators inside occupied buildings including the building where Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler lives. The letter is signed by Mayor Wheeler and City Commissioner Amanda Fritz. City Commissioners Jo Ann Hardesty and Chloe Eudaly did not sign the letter. Newly elected Multnomah...

As Portland protests enter their fifth week Wednesday, the state speaker of the House sent a sharp letter to Mayor Ted Wheeler over police use of force the previous night, saying police were escalating tensions with their tactics. Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, call police actions in her district Tuesday “completely unacceptable.” Officers used tear gas and other force to disperse protesters near the Portland Police Association headquarters in North Portland. “From the reports I’ve read and from what I’ve heard from neighbors - counter to what the PPB is officially saying - there was no risk to the...