Press Releases

PORTLAND, OR – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555, Oregon’s largest private-sector labor union representing more than 30,000 workers in grocery, meat, retail, plants and manufacturing, healthcare industry, and pharmacies across the Pacific Northwest, today announced its endorsement of Governor Tina Kotek for a second term as Governor.

“Governor Kotek has shown time and time again that she will go to bat for the workers who stock our shelves, fill our prescriptions, and keep Oregon’s industries running,” said UFCW Local 555 President Dan Clay. “Whether it’s fighting to expand unemployment benefits for striking workers or standing up for fair wages, Tina Kotek doesn’t back down from taking on corporate interests to protect working people, and UFCW is proud to have her back.”

“I’m honored to have the endorsement of UFCW and the thousands of workers who keep Oregon running every day,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “These workers show up for us every single day, even as President Trump drives costs up and gives wealthy corporations massive handouts at their expense. I won’t let President Trump’s dangerous agenda undo the progress we’ve made in Oregon. I will never stop fighting for fair wages, safe workplaces, and an economy where the people who do the essential work can actually afford to live in the communities they serve.”

“Many Oregonians are living on the knife’s edge between prosperity and poverty,” said Stacy Anderson, a Local 555 member and healthcare worker. “As working families face an affordability crisis – with grocery prices increasing by 30% since 2020 – Governor Kotek has done great work lowering costs for working families by reigning in utility rate hikes, canceling proposed freeway tolls, and banning hidden junk fees. I’m grateful to partner with Governor Kotek in fighting for Oregon families.”

Throughout her career, Governor Kotek has been a steadfast champion for Oregon’s workers, partnering with unions to strengthen worker protections, support good-paying jobs, and ensure working people have a real voice on the job and in our economy:

• In 2025, Governor Kotek passed landmark legislation making Oregon the first state to expand unemployment benefits to striking workers, championing the bill early on to ensure it passed the legislature.
• In 2026, Governor Kotek signed into law increased workers’ compensation benefits for injured workers to ensure Oregonians have the financial stability they need to recover and return to work.
• Governor Kotek has fought to lower costs for working families by reigning in utility rate hikes, canceling proposed freeway tolls, banning hidden junk fees, and protecting Oregonians’ credit scores from medical debt.
• She also called on companies both privately and publicly to stop their anti-union campaigns and sign neutrality agreements when workers organize.
• 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 also passed legislation to raise the minimum wage across Oregon, implemented paid sick leave, and created the nation’s first state-run retirement savings program for workers.

UFCW Local 555 joins a growing coalition supporting Governor Kotek’s reelection bid alongside the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Oregon School Employees Association, Oregon Labor Federation, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Building Trades, North Coast Carpenters Union, SEIU Oregon, AFSCME Council 75, 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.

PORTLAND, OR — Today, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) announced its endorsement of Governor Tina Kotek for reelection, citing her strong record on climate action, clean energy, and defending Oregon’s environmental values against President Trump’s attacks.

“As Donald Trump and his MAGA allies work to roll back decades of environmental progress, Oregon needs a governor who won’t flinch – and that’s exactly who Tina Kotek is,” said Lindsey Scholten, OLCV Executive Director. “Governor Kotek has a proven record of fighting for Oregon’s climate, from passing landmark clean energy legislation as Speaker, to re-establishing the Climate Protection Program and defending Solar for All funding from Trump’s attacks in court. OLCV is proud to stand with her as she continues to protect our lands, our climate, and our communities.”

“I’m honored to have the support of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and committed to being the environmental champion Oregon needs right now,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “As Donald Trump works to dismantle decades of environmental progress, Oregon must be a backstop – and for the next four years, that’s exactly what I’ll continue to do. Every Oregonian deserves to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live in a state that takes the climate crisis seriously, and that commitment will never waver on my watch.”

Since taking office, Governor Kotek has built a strong climate record, including:

• In 2025, Governor Kotek re-established Oregon’s Climate Protection Program, putting Oregon back on track to reduce climate pollution through 2050, and committed to vetoing any future rollback of the program unless replaced with one of equal or greater strength.
• Governor Kotek also signed executive orders to accelerate clean energy siting and permitting, advance climate resilience across state lands and waters, and strengthen coordination across state government to meet Oregon’s clean energy goals.
• She secured $197 million in EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding, making Oregon the only West Coast state to receive the award and supporting climate solutions for communities, businesses, nonprofits, and Tribes across the state.
• Governor Kotek signed the POWER Act, requiring large industrial energy users consuming more than 20 megawatts to pay their fair share of electricity costs, and launched Oregon’s Offshore Wind Roadmap to balance clean energy development with coastal and fisheries interests.
• She also defended $87 million in Solar for All funding to expand clean energy access for low-income communities, joining a multi-state lawsuit to challenge the program’s illegal termination by the Trump Administration.
• Governor Kotek has committed to upholding Oregon’s long legacy of land use protections, modernizing state water laws, completing implementation of the Private Forest Accord, and ensuring that environmental and climate policies advance equity for frontline, rural, and low-income communities.
• As Speaker of the Oregon House, Governor Kotek championed the passage of the Clean Energy for All Act, committing Oregon to 100% clean electricity by 2040, one of the most ambitious clean energy standards in the nation.

OLCV joins a growing coalition supporting Governor Kotek’s reelection bid alongside the OSEA, 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, OSEA, SEIU Oregon, AFSCME Council 75, 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.

PORTLAND, OR – Governor Tina Kotek released the below statement in response to President Trump’s executive order today on vote by mail:

“Today, President Trump signed an executive order that represents a direct attack on the fundamental right of every American to cast their vote and have it counted. This order is not about election integrity — it is a massive and unconstitutional voter suppression effort spearheaded by President Trump. Ultimately, this is about silencing people.

“Oregon has been a national leader in vote by mail for over 25 years. Since we became the first state in the nation to conduct all elections entirely by mail in 2000, Oregonians have cast their ballots safely, securely, and conveniently, and our elections have been a model for the rest of the country. Our system works. It is trusted. And it has consistently produced strong voter participation precisely because it makes voting more accessible, not less.

“We will fight this order with every tool available to us in order to protect Oregon’s well-tested, fair electoral process. To every Oregonian: your vote is safe, your voice matters, and I will not let this administration silence you. Democracy is not negotiable – and neither is your right to vote.”

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.

PORTLAND, OR – Governor Tina Kotek released the below statement in response to news reports that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to uphold President Donald Trump’s efforts to severely restrict mail-in voting, undermining American democracy and disenfranchising Oregon voters:

“President Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting threaten to silence working people, undermine states’ rights, and threaten the foundation of our democracy. The Supreme Court must stand firm and uphold the Constitution – and not give in to Trump’s long-debunked lies and conspiracy theories. 

“Oregonians have voted by mail for over 25 years, and our electoral system is one of the most secure, effective, and accessible in the nation. Just like we stopped President Trump’s attempts to abuse control of the Oregon National Guard and cut food assistance for working families, we won’t back down from defending our democracy and the proven system Oregonians trust to make their voices heard.”

PORTLAND, OR – The Mother PAC announced today their endorsement of Tina Kotek for a second term as Governor, signaling to Oregonians that Tina Kotek is the only candidate in this race that caregiver and reproductive health advocates trust to protect Oregonians’ fundamental freedoms.

“Governor Kotek has taken meaningful steps to protect care infrastructure in Oregon, including securing $25 million to stabilize maternity care across our state and bringing stakeholders together to build a path for universal preschool,” said Candice Williams, MEd, MSSE, Executive Director of The Mother PAC. “Governor Kotek has demonstrated a willingness to listen when caregivers and parents organize and speak up, and we will continue to push for bold policies that benefit all families. This endorsement reflects our belief that transformative change is driven by the voices of mothers and caregivers, and we’re ready to ramp up the fight for the care economy together.” 

“I’m grateful to The Mother PAC for their support and partnership,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “My focus has always been on making sure Oregon families have the support they need to thrive – lowering costs, expanding access to affordable child care, and protecting access to reproductive health care. At a moment when President Trump and extreme Republicans in Washington are working to drive up costs and rip away our rights, I will continue to stand up for Oregon values and deliver real results for working families.”

Throughout her career, Governor Kotek has been a steadfast champion for Oregon women and working families:

• As Speaker, she fought to pass reforms to Oregon’s public child care system to increase affordable options for families, led the passage of Oregon’s Reproductive Health Equity Act to codify Oregonians’ access to reproductive health care, helped pass one of the strongest equal pay laws in the country, and passed legislation to raise the minimum wage and implement paid family leave.
• As Governor, she 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, committing $50 million to increase access to affordable childcare and help keep childcare providers in business.
• Immediately following Donald Trump’s election in 2024, Governor Kotek announced that Oregon had secured a long-term supply of abortion medication. She also expanded protections for medical providers and patient privacy to ensure that Oregon continues to have the strongest reproductive health care protections in the nation.
• She passed and implemented the most inclusive paid family and medical leave law in the country, putting more than $1.8 billion back in the pockets of more than 200,000 Oregonians. 
• In 2026, Governor Kotek launched a statewide effort to stabilize maternity care as more rural hospitals struggle to keep labor and delivery units open, investing $25 million to support hospitals that provide maternity services and fill the gap left by Donald Trump’s cuts to healthcare.

The Mother PAC joins a growing coalition supporting Governor Kotek’s reelection bid alongside the Oregon Labor Federation AFL-CIO, Oregon Nurses Association, the Oregon Building Trades, North Coast Carpenters Union, AFSCME Council 75, 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.

PORTLAND, OR – Planned Parenthood Action Oregon announced today their endorsement of Tina Kotek for a second term as Governor, signaling to Oregonians that Tina Kotek is the only candidate in this race that reproductive health advocates trust to protect Oregonians’ fundamental freedoms.

“As Donald Trump and his MAGA allies in Oregon work to roll back our rights and rip away our health care, we need proven leaders who have what it takes to deliver results – and that’s exactly who Governor Kotek is,” said Planned Parenthood Action Oregon Executive Director, Christopher Coburn. “Her leadership on abortion rights and reproductive health care access has ensured that Oregonians’ right to make decisions about their health, their bodies, and their futures is protected. Planned Parenthood Action Oregon is proud to stand with her as she continues to defend reproductive health care for all Oregonians for the next four years.”

“I’m grateful to Planned Parenthood Action Oregon for their endorsement and partnership in this fight,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “Reproductive freedom is a fundamental right, and I’m committed to ensuring Oregon remains a safe place where people can access the care they need and build the lives they envision. I’ve stood up to Donald Trump’s attacks to protect that access and keep it affordable, and that’s what I’ll keep fighting for – because that’s the Oregon our families deserve.”

Throughout her career, Governor Kotek has been a tireless champion for reproductive health care and reproductive justice:

• As Speaker, she led the passage of Oregon’s Reproductive Health Equity Act to codify Oregonians’ access to reproductive health care. 
• Immediately following the 2024 national election, Governor Kotek secured a long-term supply of mifepristone, keeping abortion safe and accessible in Oregon.
• She signed into law a bill ensuring continued funding for Planned Parenthood clinics across the state, protecting access to reproductive health care for Oregonians.
• She expanded protections for medical providers and patient privacy to ensure Oregon remains one of the states with the strongest reproductive health care protections in the nation. 
• She has taken action to protect provider operations across Oregon.

Over the last three years, Governor Kotek has lowered costs for families, expanded access to affordable childcare, created thousands of new shelter beds, and invested in mental health and addiction care. Governor Kotek has stood up to Trump’s dangerous agenda, protected vote-by-mail, funded early literacy and summer learning programs, and fought for fair wages and safe working conditions for workers. But the work isn’t done.

Now, she’s running for reelection to continue defending Oregon values and tackling Oregon’s biggest challenges. 

Planned Parenthood Action Oregon joins a growing coalition supporting Governor Kotek’s reelection bid alongside the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Building Trades, North Coast Carpenters Union, Basic Rights Oregon, Alliance for a Safe Oregon Action, and more.

PORTLAND, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced she is running for reelection in 2026, pledging to continue standing up for people, defending Oregon values, and delivering results for working families.

“I’m running for reelection because Oregon values are on the line,” Governor Kotek said. “Over the past months, we’ve lived through moments unlike anything our state or country has seen before – and I have never been more proud of how Oregonians have stepped up. When President Trump tried to force troops into our communities and rip away food assistance, we were ready. We stopped an unnecessary military deployment, restored SNAP benefits, and got help to families fast. The choice is between a governor who will stand up for Oregon and protect what we believe in, or a governor who will let Donald Trump do whatever he wants. I will always stand with Oregonians.”

Watch Governor Kotek’s campaign launch video:

Governor Kotek has focused on tackling Oregon’s biggest challenges – lowering costs, reducing homelessness, strengthening schools, expanding mental health and addiction care, and defending our freedoms. Since taking office, Governor Kotek has:

• Declared a homelessness state of emergency and delivered results, adding more than 6,200 shelter beds and 2,800 affordable homes, preventing 25,900 households from losing housing, and rehousing 5,500 families.
• Invested in early literacy and summer learning programs to improve student success and committed $50 million to expand access to affordable childcare.
• Lowered costs for families by canceling freeway tolls, reining in utility rate hikes, banning hidden junk fees, and protecting Oregonians’ credit scores from medical debt.
• Created Oregon’s first-ever statewide shelter program to help people move off the streets and into stable housing.
• Defended Oregon values by protecting abortion access and provider safety, standing up for vote-by-mail, and founding the West Coast Health Alliance with other governors to safeguard public health.

“When nurses and clinicians have been on the picket line, Governor Kotek has had our backs. We’re proud to endorse Tina Kotek for Governor.” – Jayesh Palshikar, Board Chair, ONA PAC 

“Tina Kotek respects skilled trades and stands up for worker safety. She has earned the support of Ironworkers across Oregon. We are proud to endorse her for reelection.” – Jason Fussell, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Ironworkers Local 29 

“Tina Kotek is a fierce advocate for the tens of thousands of skilled construction workers across Oregon. Governor Kotek is unafraid to lead on the issues we care about most, wages, hours, and working conditions, and that’s why we are proud to once again endorse her candidacy.” –  Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary, Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council

“Tina Kotek is building Oregon’s future with union labor and good-paying jobs. She’s standing with IBEW workers to strengthen our workforce and deliver real results. We’re proud to endorse her for re-election.” – Garth Bachman, Business Manager, IBEW Local 48

“The Western States Carpenters back Governor Tina Kotek because she fights for workers with the same grit we bring to the jobsite. She holds labor thieves accountable, protects honest contractors, and stands up for the men and women who build this state. Governor Kotek delivers – and that’s why she has our full support.” – Trampas Simmons, Lead Representative, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters

“Governor Kotek has been a steadfast partner in our work to keep Oregon families and communities safe. From supporting secure gun storage to preventing suicides, reducing youth violence, and keeping illegal guns off our streets, she understands that real safety comes from well-resourced communities, care, and listening to those most impacted. We are proud to endorse her for another term for Governor.” – Amie Wexler, Executive Director, Alliance for a Safe Oregon

“Governor Tina Kotek is a true trailblazer. As the first openly lesbian speaker of a statehouse and now one of the first out lesbian governors in our nation’s history, she’s been an unwavering champion for our community and our freedoms. She got straight to work tackling Oregon’s biggest challenges, and we’re proud to stand with her as she fights for equality and defends our rights, including stopping dangerous Republican efforts to ban LGBTQ+ books in our schools, protecting abortion access and provider safety, and standing up for vote-by-mail.” – Kelley Robinson, President, Human Rights Campaign

“Governor Kotek has consistently stood up for Oregonians and the values we share. We’ve worked side by side against harmful federal actions, including opposing troop deployment in Portland. She’s the partner I need to continue this fight and I am proud to support her re-election.” – Attorney General Dan Rayfield

“Governor Kotek has been a thoughtful and steady partner in strengthening Oregon’s economy and looking out for working families across our state. Her leadership makes a real difference, and I’m honored to support her campaign.” – State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner

“Governor Kotek is making education a true priority for Oregon and backing it up with action. She is meeting Oregon’s biggest challenges with care, determination, and a deep commitment to our communities. I’m proud to endorse her for another term.” – Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner

“Governor Kotek has stepped up with real leadership when Oregon families needed it most. At a time when food assistance was threatened for kids, seniors, and working people, she made it clear that Oregon will not turn its back on those who need help. She is working every day to make our state stronger and lead us forward. I’m proud to support her re-election.” – Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey

“Governor Kotek has been a trusted and effective partner in helping drive Portland’s comeback. She’s focused on expanding housing, cutting red tape, and bringing people together to move our city forward. I’m proud to support her re-election for Governor.” – Portland Mayor Keith Wilson

Governor Kotek is already endorsed by a growing coalition of Oregon labor, advocacy, and Democratic leaders, including:

• Oregon Nurses Association
• Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 
• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
• Alliance for a Safe Oregon
• Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
• EMILYs List
• Human Rights Campaign
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)
• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
• Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield
• Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries Christina Stephenson
• Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner
• U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
• U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
• Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
• Congresswoman Janelle Bynum
• Congresswoman Maxine Dexter
• Congresswoman Val Hoyle
• Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
• Senate President Rob Wagner
• Speaker of the House Julie Fahey
• Portland Mayor Keith Wilson

Governor Kotek’s video announcement and campaign launch can be viewed at: www.tinafororegon.com

Portland, OR – Today Governor-elect Tina Kotek announced that she is appointing James Schroeder as Interim Director of the Oregon Health Authority. Schroeder will assume the role of Interim Director of the Oregon Health Authority effective January 10, 2023.

Schroeder will join the Oregon Health Authority following his work as CEO of Health Share of Oregon, the Portland Metropolitan area’s primary coordinated care organization, which oversees the implementation of Medicaid benefits for over 426,000 Oregonians.

“James brings over 20 years of management, leadership, and health care delivery experience and a deep respect for the work of the OHA,” said Governor-elect Tina Kotek. “Addressing the cracks in our mental health and addiction services systems will be a top priority for my administration and I am confident that James has the experience and determination to get results for Oregonians.”

Schroeder will lead the Oregon Health Authority, which is tasked with addressing the lifelong health of Oregonians through increasing access to quality, reliable, affordable and accessible care. The Oregon Health Authority oversees the majority of the state’s health care programs, including Public Health, Addictions and Mental Health Services, the Oregon Health Plan, Healthy Kids, and employee benefits for public employees and school districts.

“Our state is at a critical turning point, especially when it comes to the delivery of mental health and addiction services. I am honored by this appointment, and I want Oregonians across the state to know that I take this responsibility very seriously,” said James Schroeder, incoming Interim Director of the Oregon Health Authority. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that the OHA team produces results for our communities.”

Prior to serving as CEO of Health Share of Oregon, Schroeder held numerous executive roles for Kaiser Permanente, including Vice President of Safety Net Transformation and Executive Director of Medicaid. Schroeder also serves as a medical officer in the Oregon Air National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he is the commander of the 142nd Group Medical Unit on the Portland Air National Guard Base.

Additionally, Schroeder brings deep community experience as a clinician and leader in Federally Qualified Health Centers.  He was the founder and first Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Health Center in the Portland metro.  He also served as Chief Executive Officer, Physician Assistant and Medical Director for Family Health Services in South Central Idaho that serves a nine-county service area.

Good afternoon. I am excited to stand before you today as the Governor-elect of the great state of Oregon.

I want to thank the Oregon Business Council and its partners for the opportunity to share some thoughts today. I have attended this summit for many years, and I appreciate all the hard work that goes into providing an opportunity for leaders to come together to learn and think creatively about Oregon’s future.

Our state faces major challenges – we all know that – and I can’t wait to get to work to solve problems with you.

As Governor, I will start by focusing my energy on delivering results on issues of shared concern across our state: housing and homelessness, access to mental health and addiction treatment, and successful schools.

After 15 months of campaigning, I know that these priorities are familiar to you. Many of you, and many Oregonians, are wondering – but how? How will you serve Oregonians who didn’t support you? What will this progress look like?

Good questions. So today, I want to share my framework for turning things around – AND I invite you to be a part of the solution. In addition to the policy priorities of Oregonians, three of my overarching goals for my first year in office will be:

• Building trust across Oregon;
• Increasing accountability and oversight in state government to improve customer service; and
• Encouraging new and more robust intergovernmental and private sector partnerships.

First, let’s talk about building trust. I believe that the only way to build genuine trust – not only in me as Governor, but in our state government, from top to bottom – will be to deliver results on issues of shared interest.

That means delivering results for ALL of Oregon. I know that when all Oregonians do better, we are all safer, healthier, more prosperous.

That’s why, one week after Election Day, I drove out to Newberg to visit with leaders at the Oregon Business & Industry retreat. I said it there and I meant it: I want to work with everyone who wants to bring forward constructive solutions to our state’s challenges.

I’m grateful to several business leaders who have already been helpful in advising my transition team on systems and structures that will set up my office and agency leadership for success. I want to specifically thank Mariah Robbins, Curtis Robinhold, Angela Wilhelms, and Joth Ricci for their time, expertise, and insights in those conversations.

Building trust is also why I’ve prioritized setting up regular meetings with Mayor Wheeler and Chair-Elect Vega Pederson. Our entire state benefits when Portland is a healthy, economically thriving city. The metro region is facing serious challenges – and I will not be hands off while local families and businesses struggle. As Governor, I will make sure that we are communicating, collaborating, and getting real about solutions that will make Portlanders proud and excited to live and work here.

I ask everyone here today – no matter who you supported during campaign season – to believe in our state and its future. Please be engaged so we can rebuild trust and solve problems together.

To that end, today I’m announcing my One Oregon Listening Tour. I am committed to visiting every county in Oregon in my first year in office, with an eye toward building strong, working partnerships across our state – especially when it comes to housing, mental health and addiction care, and education. I will be kicking off this tour with visits to Yamhill County and Douglas County before my inauguration on January 9th.

My team will be working to plan future stops in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned for updates.

So, my first overarching goal is to build trust. Second, I will be focused on increasing accountability and oversight across state government. We must improve the experience of Oregonians who are counting on us to deliver services every day.

Accountability in government is one of the primary reasons that I ran for Governor. Public service also means customer service, and that must be the focus of everything we do.

Public service is about getting Oregonians what they need. Whether it was fighting daily to help people get unemployment benefits in the first months of the pandemic – or being angry about the disparate impacts of COVID in our communities – or seeing, day in and day out, our collective failure to help our unhoused neighbors ….

All of these snippets of the Oregon story in the past two years – and many more – motivated me to run for this job. Because Oregon can and must do better.

It is far too common when you’re in the halls of the Capitol to lose sight of the end game. It’s easy, and understandable, for politicians to declare victory once the vote is over or the bill is signed. Those are real achievements, of course. But I will push my team to reframe success. The real victory doesn’t come until the working mom enrolls her kid in an affordable child care program – or until the veteran living on the street moves into permanent housing – or until the student who’s been struggling to read knows the satisfaction of finishing her first book.

To fix things, we need to get back to basics. Oregon is counting on us.

As Governor, I will push for more discipline in how we manage our organization, focusing on operational excellence and working on the front-end to determine what systems and structures are needed to deliver the results we promise. I want to share a few of the actions I’m taking to make this happen:

In January, I will deliver a list of agency expectations when I take office. These expectations will serve as guideposts for what I expect of state agencies while I’m in office.

In addition, my office will be organized with an approach that focuses on spending more time directly with agency leaders, especially those responsible for my policy priorities.

Finally, as Oregon’s Governor, I’m the CEO of our State Government. In that role, I understand that I have 42,000 employees counting on me for compassion and leadership. The pandemic was hard on workers and managers across the board – private or public, large or small – it has been tough. We all had to pivot on short notice, support each other through workforce shortages, and do our jobs while our families were facing the same uncertainty as the rest of the world. These workforce challenges are not going away, and I hope to partner with all of you as we continue to strive to make Oregon a great place to live and work.

I believe that this approach will be good for morale, good for service delivery, and ultimately – good for business. I know that our state can succeed if we deliver on our promises and tackle our problems as Oregonians – supporting each other in a way that honors hard work and shared values.

So, build trust and increase accountability.

Finally, my administration will encourage new and more robust intergovernmental and private sector partnerships. That’s the only way we can solve some of our biggest crises, and it’s the best way to build a brighter future of opportunity for everyone. In addition to housing, there are three other areas where I’m particularly excited about the potential for creative public/private partnerships.

First, early learning and child care. I’ve heard from working parents, business leaders, and child care providers all over the state: the lack of affordable child care is a huge problem that is holding back too many families and businesses. I know this is a key element of the Business Plan and look forward to partnering with you on solutions.

Second, we need to work together to make the most of the opportunities presented by the federal CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure and Jobs Act. We can create thousands of good jobs; repair our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety; invest billions of dollars in the Oregon economy; and position Oregon for continued growth in the semiconductor industry.

Third, we must continue to strengthen and expand Oregon’s trade opportunities in places like Asia and beyond.

It’s quite a “to do” list. I ask you to join me and support me in meeting these goals. And, in turn, we will build a stronger, better Oregon together.

Here’s what I know: Despite challenges, Oregonians don’t back down when things get hard. We dig in, we think outside the box, and we get the job done. I’m really looking forward to moving Oregon forward, together.

Thank you.