[Portland, OR] – It has been a busy news week heading into the Fourth of July weekend, and one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the results of this year’s election will change the landscape on many issues that Oregonians care about. From the state’s homelessness crisis, to gun violence, reproductive rights, clean air, and basic support for working families – there is a lot at stake right now.
Independent Party of Oregon Criticizes Johnson: “Betsy is not speaking for Independents by polarizing Oregonians”
Betsy Johnson drew sharp criticism this week for disparaging Portland as the “city of roaches.”
The Independent Party of Oregon publicly distanced itself from Johnson, tweeting: “Betsy is not speaking for Independents by polarizing Oregonians, mocking Portland and scoring political points on the state’s homelessness crisis, which happened on her watch as much as anyone else’s.”
Yet again, Betsy’s campaign was forced to explain and defend a harmful statement, which seems to be turning into a habit.
Johnson and Drazan Are Out of Step with Oregonians on Gun Violence Prevention Policy… And They Don’t Want to Talk About It
This week, the Portland Tribune reported on a new survey showing that a majority of Oregonians support stricter laws to prevent gun violence.
With public opinion firmly against them, Christine Drazan and Betsy Johnson have so far refused to agree to a candidate forum on gun violence prevention policy.
As reported in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle:
Kotek on Thursday slammed Johnson and Drazan for not responding to her call for a gun violence forum in the wake of a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school.
Kotek, the former speaker of the Oregon House, supported gun control laws including expanded background checks and preventing people convicted of domestic abuse from obtaining guns, while Johnson voted against those measures as a Democratic state senator. Drazan, who was the Republican House leader from 2019 to 2021, voted against legislation requiring safe gun storage and touts an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association.
“Right now, Oregonians are looking for leaders who will have the courage to stand up to the NRA and fight to reduce gun violence,” Kotek said in a statement. “Representative Drazan and Senator Johnson’s silence makes it clear that they would rather cater to the gun lobby than stand up for common-sense policies to prevent gun violence.”
It’s clear that Oregonians around the state want to see more action and stronger leadership to prevent gun violence. As Hilary Uhlig, Volunteer Leader at the Oregon Chapter of Moms Demand Action said this week: “we’re furious, we’re paying attention, and we vote.”
Minimum Wage Increase Highlights Johnson and Drazan’s Records of Siding with Corporate Special Interests over Working Families
This week, over 100,000 Oregonians got a pay raise thanks to Oregon’s minimum wage increase.
As House Speaker, Tina Kotek led the way to pass a much-needed raise in Oregon’s minimum wage, despite fierce opposition from Republicans – and Senator Betsy Johnson.
As over 100,000 Oregonians see more money in their pockets this week, the Tina for Oregon campaign took a trip down memory lane, detailing Johnson and Drazan’s long records of siding with corporate special interests over working families.
SCOTUS Comes Down with Yet Another Harmful Decision, Increasing Stakes of State Elections
Last week it was reproductive rights and gun violence prevention. This week, it was the climate crisis.
As the United States Supreme Court wraps up what has become one of the most consequential terms in recent memory, on Thursday they came down with yet another major decision – this one restricting the EPA’s authority to mandate carbon emissions reductions.
Tina decried the decision, saying: “Oregon’s next Governor will play a pivotal role in deciding whether our state keeps reducing pollution or takes a giant leap backward in environmental stewardship. I am the only climate champion in the race, and that’s why I have the support of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Oregon Sierra Club.”