The Liftoff: Betsy Johnson under the microscope; polling wars in the race for governor
The Liftoff: Betsy Johnson under the microscope; polling wars in the race for governor
PLUS: Oregon GOP names a new leader; game-changing ballot measures qualify; sports news that politicos should know about; OR leaders make career transitions; and more!
Welcome back to The Liftoff!
It was a busy week, so let’s jump straight to the news.
1. Betsy Johnson under the microscope; polling wars in the race for governor
In 2013, Betsy Johnson was involved in a serious car accident. She spent six months recovering from a broken hip and eventually paid $43,000 to the woman she rear-ended. According to Willamette Week, then-Senator Johnson “tried to claim legislative immunity” to “shirk responsibility”. After WW wrote the story, Christine Drazan immediately went on the attack, implying that Johnson is a “self-serving politician”. Kotek later accused Johnson of “weaponizing legislative immunity to bully an Oregonian”.
Two major polls were released this week, and it seems like the only thing that everyone can agree on is that the race is between Tina Kotek and someone else. Johnson’s campaign released a poll showing Kotek with 33% support, Johnson with 30% support, and Drazan with 23% (with a 4 point margin-of-error).
However, a poll from House and Senate Republicans paint a completely different picture: Drazan at 32.4%, Kotek at 31.4%, and Johnson at 24.4% — also with a margin-of-error of about 4 points. The poll shows Republicans will have a 4.6% advantage on a generic ballot.
Meanwhile, Tina Kotek caught COVID (she’s doing fine) and Betsy Johnson went on the attack against her by embracing the Donald Trump tactic of nicknaming, saying: “Tent City Tina is even more Kate Brown — than Kate Brown.”
2. Game-changing initiatives on the ballot this November
Lift Every Voice Oregon, a gun safety coalition, has submitted enough signatures to the Secretary of State’s office for their initiative to qualify for the ballot. From the Capital Chronicle: “If the measure were enacted, everyone would have to complete a background check, no matter how long it takes, and pass firearm safety training to obtain a permit before buying a gun.”
From OPB: A measure designed to curb legislative walkouts has qualified for the ballot. If the measure is passed, “lawmakers would be barred from seeking re-election if they have 10 or more unexcused absences in a given legislative session.”
City of Portland attorneys have finalized the charter reform question that will appear on voters’ ballots: “Should City Administrator, supervised by Mayor, manage Portland with twelve Councilors representing four districts making laws and voters ranking candidates?”
Check out Willamette Week’s deep dive into charter reform—and the impending bitter and expensive ballot fight.
3. Oregon GOP names Justin Hwang new chairman
The Oregon Republican Party has named business owner Justin Hwang as new the new party chairman. Justin previously served as Vice Chairman and was elevated to to Chairman after the recent resignation of Herman Baertschiger.
Here’s what you need to know:
Hwang will be the 3rd GOP Chairman in a little under 4 months.
First, conservative State Senator Dallas Heard resigned, citing “toxicity,” “evil,” and “Communist psychological warfare tactics” within the Party.
Next, former state senator and current Josephine County Commissioner Herman Baertschiger took the reins in an interim capacity.
Hwang is well-known in GOP circles, having previously ran for the legislature. He is a small business owner and also makes history for as the first Asian-American chair of the state party.
Hwang’s leadership will be tested almost immediately and the task ahead of him is tall as the Oregon GOP heads into what might be its greatest opportunity for pick-ups on the state and federal level in decades.
4. Rep. Karin Power joins The Bridge to talk legislator pay, what the end of Roe v Wade means for Oregon, and the childcare crisis
Rep. Karin Power was first elected to the legislature in 2016, representing House District 41 (Milwaukie and part of SE Portland). Power is known for her policy savvy and work ethic; in her second term, Willamette Week called her "the House member held in the highest and widest esteem." Alongside Rep. Rachel Prusak and Rep. Anna Williams, she announced she would not be running for re-election this cycle, citing the demands of the job and low legislative pay.
In this episode, we talk about the political dynamics and policy complexities of legislator pay—and whether she's optimistic that things will change. We also cover several issues she's led on (get ready for a mind-blowing conversation about Oregon's childcare crisis). We cover what the end of Roe v. Wade means in Oregon, how she ended up in Oregon from New Jersey, and an under-the-radar issue more Oregonians should be talking about. Power was recently announced as the new Executive Director of Business for a Better Portland. She moved to Oregon from the east coast and graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School.
5. Sports news that politicos should know about
There have been major developments in the sports world over the last few weeks that could have major economic, cultural, and political implications for Oregon.
First off, Portland Trail Blazers Owner Jody Allen released a statement saying the Blazers are not for sale—a rebuke to Phil Knight’s offer to purchase the team. She also said that there is no timeline for the sale (as required by her brother Paul Allen’s will)—it could take “10 to 20 years”. This statement also came after a report in the New York Post highlighting ”insiders“ accusing Allen of “toxic behavior” and former team president Larry Miller saying that Allen should sell the team now.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden made clear in a Willamette Week interview that he will oppose any sale of the team that would force a relocation to another city (R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics). Wyden has had multiple conversations on this topic with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (who interned for an Oregon congressman decades ago).
Next, both the Ducks and Beavers were blindsided by a recent decision by UCLA and USC to leave the PAC-12 for the Big Ten. According to Sports Illustrated, Nike founder Phil Knight is apparently pushing the Ducks to also move the Big Ten. Days later, another story broke that Knight has been “cold calling” other conferences trying to find a new home.
Finally: Damian Lillard signed a two-year contract extension with the Blazers worth $122 million.
6. Oregon leaders make career moves
Lisa Mensah, an Obama alum and nonprofit executive, was tapped at the new CEO of the Oregon Community Foundation.
Les Zaitz has officially retired from the Capital Chronicle. He will be succeeded by Lynne Terry. Watch our recent interview with Les for some great stories and his thoughts on the future of news.
Brenda Ortigoza Bateman is the new Executive Director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development, the state agency that oversees land use planning in Oregon.
From the Malheur Enterprise: “Greg Smith’s pay would more than double for managing the Nyssa reload project while dropping his duties as Malheur County economic development director under a plan presented to county officials last week.”
Another senior employee has left the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, criticizing DA Mike Schmidt in her resignation letter.
For recent hires in the Speaker’s Office and moves in Governor Brown’s administration, visit the Oregon Capital Insider.
7. Majority of Oregonians want stricter gun laws
Thanks to the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center for this week’s graphic, showing majority support across age cohorts for more restrictive gun laws.
8. News Roundup: Wildfire risk, monkeypox, and the National Guard
Behind Oregon’s behavioral health crisis: According to WW reporting, an OHSU study “found that 6 out of 10 ‘in-network’ mental health care providers in Oregon Medicaid directories do not actually see Medicaid patients.”
Check out this interactive map from the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service to see the level of wildfire risk where you live.
An Oregon mom is challenging the state law that requires tampons be provided restrooms of all genders
Monkeypox has officially made its way to Oregon.
Some rural counties are pushing back against the state’s psilocybin launch and backing bans.
The Oregon National Guard will require soldiers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Thank you for reading.
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About the Authors
Ben Bowman is the chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board and a Democratic candidate for Oregon House District 25 (Tigard and Beaverton). In his day job, he works for the Oregon Department of Education. Previously, he worked as a legislative aide for former Reps. Margaret Doherty and Val Hoyle. He also co-hosts The Oregon Bridge podcast. In the newsletter and podcast, he speaks only for himself.
Alex Titus is a small business owner and consultant to businesses, nonprofits, and associations. Previously, he served as an Advisor in the Trump Administration and as a Policy Advisor to President Trump’s Super PAC. His writing has appeared in National Review, Fox News, The Hill, RealClearPolitics, and other publications. He also co-hosts The Oregon Bridge podcast.
The last thing Oregon needs is higher paid legislators. Oregon would be better off with fewer allowed legislative days and far fewer bills. The one party legislature continues to shove bad bills on the entire state.