The Liftoff: Canceled debates, People for Portland's ballot measure, and the fight for abortion access
PLUS: Kitzhaber endorses for governor; Nick Kristof joins the pod; Jamie McLeod Skinner builds momentum; Republican legislative leaders look back on session
Welcome back to The Liftoff!
Thank you for reading our weekly newsletter on all things Oregon politics. There is a lot of news to cover in the campaign for Governor, several congressional races, and more—so let’s jump in.
1. Nick Kristof on running for governor and the war in Ukraine
Nick Kristof is a world-renowned journalist, author, and humanitarian. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, he is also a cider orchardist living in Yamhill, Oregon. He briefly ran for governor of Oregon until being ruled ineligible in February 2022. We start the episode with a campaign debrief: Was the experience positive or negative? Will he consider running for office again? Who will he vote for in the Democratic primary?
Then, we focus on the war in Ukraine. This episode is designed to explain the conflict (and why it matters) for lay people without a deep background in foreign policy (like us). In addition to decades of experience in reporting on war, humanitarian crises, and other international conflicts, Nick has family ties to the region (which we discuss). We cover no-fly zones, chemical weapon "red lines", the function of journalism in conflict, the opportunities and dangers of social media during wartime, cyber attacks, and the role of the United States in the emerging geopolitical re-ordering.
You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or Audible—and please subscribe to The Oregon Bridge on YouTube!
2. KATU cancels gubernatorial debates; Kitzhaber endorses Read
After pushback from candidates who did not meet KATU’s initial eligibility criteria, the TV station has canceled its primary debates.
This is a sad consequence of unusually crowded gubernatorial primaries; it means voters will have an ever harder time sorting through their choices.
“Tobias Read says what other Democrats won’t: Oregon has lost its way.” So starts a new TV ad from Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Read.
Read scored two big endorsements last week by Former Governor John Kitzhaber and UNITE HERE Local 8, a hospitality union that represents about 5,000 workers.
You can compare Read’s endorsements with Tina Kotek’s endorsements. One important difference: Kotek has earned the support of the vast majority of left-leaning organizations, most of whom have access to large PACs and campaign volunteers. Read will have to make up for that disadvantage from other sources.
The Oregon Hospital Political Action Committee has donated a total of $140,000 to Betsy Johnson, Tobias Read, and Christine Drazan. Read WW’s analysis here.
Read about GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Tiernan’s feud with California bicyclists.
3. McLeod Skinner builds momentum (and other congressional news)
Jamie McLeod Skinner was the subject of a recent Politico article titled “Progressives find a new takedown target in the House”. Here’s the lede: “In what could become the next marquee Democratic primary, top liberal groups are aiming to knock off moderate Rep. Kurt Schrader in Oregon.” The article also reveals that McLeod Skinner has internal polling showing her down three points.
McLeod Skinner is riding a wave of momentum after winning the endorsement of four county Democratic parties; she is currently raising funds for an attack ad against Schrader.
Remember: as of last quarter, Schrader had a huge fundraising lead.
Dr. Kathleen Harder, a Democratic candidate in the 6th congressional district, has been endorsed by Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett.
Congressman Cliff Bentz has signed on as a co-host to a fundraiser for Congresswoman Liz Cheney’s primary opponent.
4. Republican leaders reflect on short session (and other legislative news)
In a short session retrospective, House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Verson told Pamplin: “Having a new speaker definitely changed the attitude in the building [for the better].” Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp criticized the passage of the farmworker overtime bill and several other bills, saying they “needed to be more thoroughly vetted.”
The PAC created to support moderate Democrats, led by Brian Clem, has made it’s first donation: $50,000 to Rep. Brad Witt, running in a new Salem district.
The Editorial Board of the Portland Tribune published an editorial last week endorsing raising legislator pay.
Rep. Dacia Grayber and Rep. Karin Power both use eBikes—and they want to make it easier for others to use them, too.
5. A trend to pay attention to: abortion access in the PNW
In the 2022 session, legislators allocated $15 million to the new Oregon Reproductive Equity Fund, where the funds “will be used to help patients obtain abortions by paying for the services as well as logistical help including lodging and travel.” This move comes as Idaho, and conservative states across the country, have dramatically restricted abortion access.
According to the New York Times, “Both sides of the abortion debate anticipate that come July, the Supreme Court will have overturned Roe v. Wade and with it the constitutional right to abortion.”
This means that abortion access will increasingly become a state—and regional—issue.
6. Jeff Gudman joins The Bridge and talks PERS, how to improve state government, and being a moderate Republican in Oregon
Jeff Gudman is a former Lake Oswego City Councilor who was twice the GOP nominee for State Treasurer. He learned his MBA in Finance and Management from the Wharton School of Business and has worked as a financial analyst, treasurer, and investor for several decades. He is also a former All-American swimmer!
In this episode, we cover PERS (an issue Gudman has studied deeply) and why he believes it matters, what it's like for a moderate Republican to be on the ballot with Donald Trump, when the state should divest (Russia, fossil fuel companies, China, etc.), and how Oregon should prevent future state government breakdowns like the ones seen recently with unemployment checks, distributing renter and landlord assistance, and the delay in the new family leave program.
7. Portland gears up for ballot measure battles over homelessness and governance
People for Portland will pursue a ballot measure to significantly re-direct funding from the 2020 Metro homeless services ballot measure in what Willamette Week calls “a hostile takeover of the measure’s spending.” Essentially, it would require more money to be spent on homeless shelters (instead of permanent housing) and require local jurisdictions to enforce anti-camping ordinances. It’s part of a growing “drumbeat to sweep homeless camps and force their residents into shelters”, per WW.
Angela Martin, who opposes the proposal, told OPB that there will be severe consequences if the measure passes: “The moment we have to divert 75% of the funds to shelter only, we’re going to have to start issuing evictions to people we already placed in permanent housing.”
According to a new poll, most Portland voters support a change to Portland’s form of government—but that support is far from rock-solid.
8. Do Oregonians think we’re divided? Depends on their level of formal education.
Thanks to our friends at the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center for this week’s graphic on Oregonians’ differing perceptions of whether we’re politically divided.
9. News Round-up
In Yamhill County, conservative county Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer has survived a recall attempt by about 5 points.
This Week’s Sign of the Times, from WW: “Portland Bureau Wants to Install Safe Rooms in City Hall With Ballistic-Resistant Doors”
Oregon Capital Insider has recent state agency hires and departures, including the Secretary of State’s office
Last week, U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh made his second visit to Oregon to tour a NECA-IBEW training center in Portland and a PCC manufacturing center in Scappoose. He spoke with Governor Kate Brown, Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer.
Yikes: Oregon’s gas price average hit the $4.70 mark this past week.
More than 7,000 Oregonians have died from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many national media outlets are covering a car crash in Salem where a driver killed 4 people after crashing into a homeless encampment.
Douglas Perry over at The O has an interesting piece diving into the State of Jefferson — another secessionist movement that is targeting pieces of Oregon.
A group of businesses are challenging Oregon’s greenhouse gas reduction program in court, arguing that the state’s actions have exceeded its authority
After a massive pandemic-induced spike, Oregon’s unemployment rate is down to nearly 4%—almost as low as before the pandemic.
Thank you for reading.
Tips? Feedback? Ideas? Corrections? We want to hear from you! Email benjaminwbowman@gmail.com.
If you value this newsletter, please become a paying subscriber today. Your support will help us grow and offer more opportunities to this community. It’s just $10 a month!
Interested in advertising with us? Get in touch!
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.