The Liftoff: Scoop! GOP recall effort underway
PLUS: Speaker calls for legislative resignation; where the walkout stands; Ted Wheeler calls for a tax truce; a bad poll for Measure 110; and more!
Tomorrow is election day—so get those ballots in!
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As always, our goal is to bring you the biggest headlines each week to keep you informed. We can only do this with the help of our subscribers! Thank you!
1. Exclusive: Long-time Oregon Republican National Committeeman Solomon Yue facing recall effort
Welcome back and we’re starting off your Monday with a scoop:
Long-time Oregon Republican National Committeeman Solomon Yue is facing an organized recall effort, Oregon360 has learned. The organizers behind the recall petition reportedly have close to the support from over half of counties, the threshold to force a vote on the matter, according to the bylaws of the Oregon Republican Party (ORP).
The ORP did not respond to a request for comment.
The Man: Solomon Yue is a longtime figure in Oregon politics. Born in China and an immigrant to Oregon, he has risen through the ranks of the state GOP all the way to the national level where he’s served as Oregon’s Republican National Committeeman for more than two decades while solidifying a reputation as one of the RNC’s most conservative members. He’s one of just two delegates representing Oregon to the RNC.
Why Is He Being Recalled?: A 37-page document is circulating around Republican circles that makes a number of accusations against Yue, including that he creates “dissension” within the ORP and is benefiting from the position personally.
Big Yikes: As part of an addendum, the document also references a racially charged and wild allegation that Yue may have dual loyalty to the Chinese government.
Click here to view the full document.
What’s His Side Saying? Yue’s supporters have also been circulating a response to the recall, highlighting what they say are his many successes, including bringing high-profile conservatives to the state to fundraise for the Oregon Republican Party and other major wins for the party.
Click here to view the full document.
Yue told the Liftoff in a written statement that “All charges in the recall petition are either false, half-truth or out-of-context."
What’s Next?
The ORP will issue a formal notification if Yue’s detractors have the necessary signatures to force a vote.
This isn’t Yue’s first rodeo. He’s faced previous recall attempts before and clashed with high-profile officials such as former ORP Chairman Dallas Heard—and so far, he’s always come out ahead.
Yue might also have the ultimate “Trump” card up his sleeve—the former president himself. Yue is known to have a strong relationship with those in President Trump’s camp and recently sat down for a small group meeting with the former president who promised to host a campaign rally in Oregon.
Keep this one on your radar as a successful recall would be an earthquake event for the ORP.
2. Republicans on the brink of walkout penalties (and other legislative headlines)
Senate President Rob Wagner canceled Friday’s floor session, which paused unexcused absence #9 of the GOP walkout of the Oregon legislature. Why is #9 so important? Because ten unexcused absences is the magic number that bars legislators from seeking reelection, as approved in last fall’s ballot measure.
Meanwhile, the top six leaders of the Oregon Legislature met Wednesday morning and issued a joint statement saying…not much. Here is the statement: “All six leaders agreed: We met, we had a conversation, we are planning on additional conversations.”
Here’s Gary Warner with the Oregon Capital Bureau’s story on the Republican walk-out drama.
So, what exactly is the walkout about? Depends on who you ask. On KGW, Pat Dooris blasted Senate Republicans for their protest of the “readability” of legislation summaries, saying: “To claim the walkout is over the wording of a summary for proposed laws is clearly a bunch of baloney.” Meanwhile, Julia Shumway in the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported that Senate GOP Leader Tim Knopp acknowledged that they are “also protesting about 20 different bills they consider ‘hyperpartisan’”.
Meanwhile, Sen. Cedric Hayden has filed religious discrimination complaints against Sen. Pres. Wagner for not granting him an excused absence so he could attend church service on Saturday.
Just a few days after Shemia Fagan officially resigned, Oregon lawmakers are mulling whether to boost pay for statewide officeholders and pass ethics reforms, reports The Oregonian. Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber and Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp said they support creating an independent commission to study pay structures.
Knopp supports raising pay for judges and statewide officeholders, which include the secretary of state, treasurer, governor, and attorney general.
House Speaker Dan Rayfield called on Rep. Brian Stout (R-Columbia County) to resign Tuesday after a Columbia County judge upheld a restraining order against him, reports The Oregon Capital Chronicle. The conservative group Timber Unity (who previously supported Stout) has also called on him to resign, according to WW.
Apparently La Mota’s owners made large campaign contributions in cash, including to Gov. Tina Kotek and Senate Pres. Rob Wagner. WW calls it highly unusual (but not illegal).
Gov. Kotek did not sign a bill that would allow the slaughter of up to 1,000 rabbits per year without a license…but it still became law.
From Willamette Week: “A nascent attempt to form what would be the nation’s first union for legislative assistants is mired in quicksand”
3. What political leaders need to know about maternal health, with Rebecca Grant
Rebecca Grant is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon, who covers reproductive rights, health, and justice. She recently published a book called "Birth: Three Mothers, Nine Months, and Pregnancy in America" that follows three women in Oregon through the course of their pregnancies. Grant's work has appeared in NPR, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many other other publications. She has received grants and fellowships from the International Women’s Media Foundation, the International Reporting Project, and The Investigative Fund.
While abortion often dominates the political discourse on reproductive health in the United States, there are many other critical facets. In this episode, we talk about maternal health outcomes, racial disparities in medical treatment, the tension between OBGYNs and midwives, why hospital births are so dominant (compared to birth centers and home births), and how miscarriages became stigmatized—and why that might be changing.
4. Sponsored Message from Harrang Long P.C.: Harrang Long’s Government Ethics Practice
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Our deep experience with government ethics helps us evaluate issues efficiently and offer practical advice in what can often be contentious and politically charged circumstances. To learn more about Harrang Long’s government ethics practice, click here.
5. Portland news: tax freeze, homelessness, and school board drama
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Thursday that he intends to seek a one-year freeze on nearly all planned or proposed city increases in taxes, fees and utility rates, a decision that could upend next year’s budget and lead to cuts or reductions across municipal services, reports The Oregonian.
Wheeler’s disclosure came minutes after he wrapped up a meeting with regional leaders to discuss what he’s described as the “collective tax burden” on households and businesses.
The number of people experiencing homelessness of all kinds in Multnomah County—unsheltered, in shelters, and in transitional housing—rose 20% in 2023, an increase that county officials attributed to “ongoing use of increasingly robust by-name lists and services data.”
Willamette Week reversed its endorsement for Portland Public Schools Board. They initially endorsed Derrick Peterson, but he apparently withdrew from the race, following media reports of his church ties to a Christian nationalist group.
“It’s unusual for this newspaper to reverse an endorsement, but Peterson has left us little choice with his inconsistency and lack of transparency. His opponent, Patte Sullivan, is not running a serious campaign, but she is well intentioned and, as a former teacher, has relevant experience,” writes the endorsement.
The Portland Public Schools board has floated creating a new partnership with Portland police to help address recent violence in and around schools, reports KGW. These would not be School Resource Officers, which the district disbanded in 2020.
Former Portland Mayor Sam Adams has been cleared of sexual harassment claims and other allegations made by a man who served as his executive assistant according to a 2021 city human resources investigation. The Oregonian has all the details.
6. The Way: Tackling homelessness in Washington County, culture in Salem, and supporting local journalism
Looking for thoughtful and substantive op-eds? We’ve got three for you for this week from a variety of Oregon Way contributors. First, Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty charts a path to battle homelessness in Washington County. Next, Adam Davis from Oregon Humanities talks about the importance of culture in politics and policy. Finally, Regina Lawrence and Andrew DeVigal from the University of Oregon discuss ways to combat the decline of local news. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts!
7. What to watch for in tomorrow’s election
Tuesday is Election Day in Oregon. This week, for subscribers only, we cover the key races and ballot measures that we’re watching around the state.
As education policy professor Andy Saultz says, “School boards are at the epicenter of the culture wars.” But there are more than just school board elections on the ballot. In this post, we cover anonymous attacks, fundraising numbers, "culture war" issues like CRT and book bans, dueling endorsements, tax votes, and more.
Click here to read our subscribers-only guide to Tuesday’s election.
8. News Round-Up: Are voters turning on drug legalization?
From WW: “Survey Shows Oregonians Have Dim Outlook on Efficacy of Measure 110”
From the Oregonian: “After Democratic Party of Oregon falsely reports source of $500K donation from FTX exec, officials slash fine, agree not to pursue criminal case”
Port of Morrow commissioners signed off Wednesday on a contentious package of tax incentives for five more Amazon data centers in eastern Oregon, tax breaks Morrow County values at an estimated $1 billion, writes Mike Rogoway with The Oregonian.
From the Oregonian: “Gov. Tina Kotek will wait until after May 16 election to select next secretary of state”
Senator Ron Wyden is locked in a battle with Texas billionaire Harlan Crow over information related to gifts that Crow provided to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Eastern Oregon University has hired a new president: Kelly Ryan, from Indiana University Southeast.
Thank you for reading!
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About the Authors
Ben Bowman is the state representative for Oregon House District 25 (Tigard, Metzger, and South Beaverton) and a member of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board. In his day job, he works as an administrator for a public school district. 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.
Kristina Edmunson has been everything from press assistant for Governor Kulongoski, media advance associate for Vice President Joe Biden, and communications director for Attorney General Rosenblum. Born and raised in Eugene, she has been involved in some of the biggest policy and legal decisions in Oregon over the last decade. Today, she runs her own communications practice. She speaks only for herself in her contributions to The Liftoff.
Am I missing something? Where is the reference to Yue’s duel loyalty with the Chinese government in the shared documents?