PORTLAND, OR – The Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) announced today their endorsement of Tina Kotek for a second term as Governor. OSEA represents more than 25,000 education professionals in school districts, community colleges, education service districts, and Head Start programs across Oregon.
“From her time as an advocate for children to her service as Governor, Tina Kotek has been a champion for students, education workers, and strong public schools,” said OSEA State President Sarah Wofford. “While federal funding is uncertain and costs are rising for working families, Governor Kotek is focused on delivering results – strengthening our schools, protecting our students, and supporting union workers and the labor movement. We’re proud to stand with her to protect Oregon’s schools and defend our values.”
“I’m grateful to have the support of the Oregon School Employees Association and proud to stand with the education workers who keep our schools strong,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “Together, we’ve made real progress, but the work isn’t done. While extreme Republicans work to undermine public education and put our students and schools at risk, I will keep fighting to strengthen our schools, support our educators, and build an Oregon where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Throughout her career, Governor Kotek has been a steadfast champion for Oregon’s educators, students, and working families:
- In 2025, Governor Kotek established the Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council to support reading and writing instruction, signed legislation directing $112 million to support summer learning programs, and delivered a record $11.36 billion State School Fund to support Oregon public education.
- Governor Kotek also passed landmark legislation in 2025 making Oregon the first state to expand unemployment benefits to striking workers, championing the bill early on to ensure it passed the legislature.
- She also expanded apprenticeship opportunities, signed legislation to strengthen enforcement of Oregon’s public employee labor protections to hold repeat violators accountable and protect workers’ rights on the job, and increased the Oregon Opportunity Grant by $100 million, opening the door to higher education for thousands of Oregonians.
- Governor Kotek convened the Early Childhood Care and Learning System Roundtable to develop a blueprint for an Oregon where every family can access and afford high-quality childcare and preschool and created the Early Learning and Care Infrastructure Fund that has committed $50 million to increase access to affordable childcare and help keep childcare providers in business.
- Governor Kotek oversaw the implementation of Oregon’s landmark paid family and medical leave law after championing its passage as Speaker. As of March 2025, Paid Leave Oregon had paid out over $1 billion in benefits to more than 150,000 Oregonians.
- As Speaker, Governor Kotek championed the landmark Student Success Act, implemented paid sick leave, created the nation’s first state-run retirement savings program for workers, and passed legislation to raise the minimum wage across Oregon.
OSEA joins a growing coalition supporting Governor Kotek’s reelection bid alongside the Oregon Labor Federation, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Building Trades, North Coast Carpenters Union, The Mother PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, Alliance for a Safe Oregon Action, and more.
ABOUT GOVERNOR KOTEK
Governor Tina Kotek has spent her career making history and fighting for others. Over the last three years, Governor Kotek has expanded access to affordable childcare, created thousands of new shelter beds, protected abortion access and vote-by-mail, and funded early literacy and summer learning programs. She has also been a national leader in pushing back against Donald Trump’s attacks on our communities, our healthcare, and our rights by blocking his illegal attempts to deploy the Oregon National Guard in our communities and working through the night to reverse his decision to strip food assistance from Oregonians by taking away SNAP benefits.
Governor Kotek is running for reelection to continue defending Oregon values and tackling the state’s biggest challenges – lowering costs, reducing homelessness, strengthening schools, expanding mental health and addiction care, and bringing affordable childcare to every corner of the state.