Both Conservative Candidates Have Troubling Links to Far-Right Extremists
[Portland, OR] – Timber Unity, a group with well-documented ties to white nationalists and other extremist groups, endorsed Republican Christine Drazan and praised conservative Betsy Johnson this week.
According to reporting from KGW’s Pat Dooris, Drazan said she appreciates the support from the group and she “looks forward to working with them in the future.” Many outlets have pointed out that the group has links to extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, QAnon and the Three Percenter movement.
Drazan also recently sent her well-wishes to a QAnon supporter who’s running to represent Oregon in the U.S. Senate. The Oregonian reported that Drazan wishes “the best” for all Republican candidates, including QAnon supporter Jo Rae Perkins, who “attended the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which she called ‘the American Revolution,’ along with other supporters of QAnon.”
Timber Unity board member and spokesperson Angelita Sanchez also praised Betsy Johnson in her interview with KGW, saying “we certainly appreciate Betsy Johnson.” Mother Jones reported that Sanchez participated in the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th and posted in Timber Unity’s private Facebook channels that she wanted to “put myself right in the middle of it.”
Rolling Stone has also labeled Timber Unity “a front group for the state’s extractive interests” and reported on their “intimidating show of force” at the Oregon State Capitol in 2020:
“Their ranks included members of the III% militia, wearing gear with the slogan: ‘When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.’ QAnon followers were also in force holding an American flag banner emblazoned with the words, ‘Where We Go One We Go All.’
“Johnson didn’t shy away from this group, riven with extremists. To the contrary, she soon accepted an award from Timber Unity, and she joined them with a broad smile on her face on the statehouse steps when they staged a similar protest in 2020.”
And, after OPB reported that some people in the crowd at one of Johnson’s rallies were wearing Confederate flag t-shirts, Johnson went on the attack rather than clearly denouncing the racist symbols. From KGW:
“Dr. Rosa Colquitt, the chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon’s Black Caucus, said that this should have been a moment for Johnson to clearly state the Confederate flag is a symbol of hate.
“‘Instead, Johnson deflected responsibility and blame onto our rural communities and perpetuated the very divide that she claims she, and only she, can repair,’ Dr. Colquitt said.”