Press Releases

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.

[Portland, OR] – Governor-elect Tina Kotek delivered the keynote address at the Oregon Business Council’s 20th annual Oregon Leadership Summit today.

In her remarks, Governor-elect Kotek emphasized her commitment to focus on issues of shared concern across the state: housing and homelessness, access to mental health and addiction treatment, and successful schools.

Further, she laid out her framework for turning things around to deliver results in her first year in office by:

• 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.
  In order to build trust across Oregon, Governor-elect Kotek also announced the “One Oregon” Listening Tour where she will visit every county in Oregon within her first year in office. The “One Oregon” tour will focus on building strong partnerships across the state and getting results for Oregonians, especially when it comes to housing, mental health and addiction care, and education.

The tour is set to begin in Yamhill and Douglas counties before the Governor-elect is inaugurated on January 9th, with more locations and dates to be announced at later dates.

A full transcript of the Governor-elect’s remarks can be found here.

Additional members of transition team also named

[Portland, OR] – Today, Oregon Governor-elect Tina Kotek announced that Andrea Cooper will be joining her administration as her incoming chief of staff and identified additional members of her transition team.

Cooper brings fifteen years of experience in Oregon government and public service, including several leadership roles serving in the Oregon Legislature, advocating on behalf of working families, and most recently working as the deputy chief of staff to Governor Kate Brown. Cooper will become the first Black woman to serve in this top executive role in Oregon.

In her volunteer life, Cooper has served as Board Chair for Bradley Angle, a domestic violence agency that empowers survivors of domestic abuse. She also served on the boards of Emerge Oregon, a statewide group dedicated to empowering Democratic women to run for office, and the Alliance for Youth, a national organization working to strengthen local youth organizing and power.

Cooper grew up in Oregon and California and is a lifelong fan of the Portland Trail Blazers. She received her B.A. from the University of Portland with a major in Political Science.

“Andrea Cooper is a skilled manager and a strategic, collaborative leader. She is ready to build a team of problem-solvers who will always put the needs of the people of Oregon first,” said Governor-elect Kotek. “I’m thrilled to have her coming on board.”

In addition, Kotek named several key hires for her transition team, which will focus on setting up the incoming administration to start delivering results for Oregonians on Day One. The following people are joining Transition Director Tim Inman, who is taking a partial leave from his current role as the University Secretary and Advisor to the President of the University of Oregon to lead the transition:

• Annaliese Dolph – Behavioral Health Lead. Dolph previously served as a policy advisor in the Speaker’s Office and is an attorney with over a decade of experience working on health policy. She will continue to serve in the incoming Kotek administration after assisting with the transition.
• Karin Power – Policy Lead. Power, the outgoing State Representative for HD 41 and Interim Executive Director of Business for a Better Portland, is volunteering her time to assist with policy work during the transition.
• Taylor Smiley Wolfe – Housing and Homelessness Lead. Smiley Wolfe previously served as policy director in the Speaker’s Office and Director of Policy and Planning at Home Forward. She will continue to serve in the incoming Kotek administration after assisting with the transition.
• Abby Tibbs – Budget Lead. Tibbs, an attorney with over 20 years of public affairs and operations experience, has taken a temporary leave from her position as vice president of public affairs at Oregon Health and Science University to assist with the development of the Governor’s Recommended Budget.

The transition team is also convening work groups with a broader cross section of leaders to advise on systems and structures that will set up the incoming Kotek administration for success in driving her agenda, improving service delivery for Oregonians, and increasing accountability across state government.

“This team works hard, leads with integrity, and knows how to deliver results. I’m grateful for their service to Oregon and we are ready to get to work,” said Governor-elect Kotek. “In the weeks leading up to inauguration, our focus will be on getting ready to address issues of shared concern across our state: homelessness, mental health and addiction, and successful schools.”

[Portland, OR] – On Friday and Monday, Tina Kotek and Oregon elected leaders addressed growing threats to democracy and criticized GOP candidate Christine Drazan for embracing election deniers, conspiracy theorists, and MAGA Republicans as some of her biggest funders, stump speakers, and allies. 

Tina Kotek said, “The people most intent on getting Christine Drazan elected are beholden to Donald Trump and will keep peddling his dangerous rhetoric. As our next governor. I will always stand up to extremism and fight for Oregon families.” 

Sen. Ron Wyden said, “This is not a drill, Oregon. With just over a week to go until the election, there is a clear and present danger to our democracy in our state and in our nation.”

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said, “This is not a partisan issue. It shouldn’t be about Democrats and Republicans. It’s about taking a stand against extremism, which everyone should be doing here in Oregon and across the country. Tina Kotek is the candidate for governor who has what it takes to protect us from the very real threats to democracy. Think of the message it would send if someone like Christine Drazan was the Oregon governor.”

Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney said, “I have seen Tina up close and personal like nobody else has seen. And I’m just gonna tell you, she’s got what it takes… When you talk about democracy, and loving Oregon, it comes down to individuals in crucial roles at crucial times.”

Salem Mayor-elect Chris Hoy said, “Christine Drazan has repeatedly refused to condemn the growing faction of Republicans who are following Trump’s lead and still refusing to accept the results of the 2020 Election…you cannot have Trump’s Republican Party takeover our state.”

 

Christine Drazan’s ties to extremists have been widely reported on. Her extreme team includes a far-right militia leader, a top financial backer of the January 6th insurrection, and a QAnon conspiracy theorist. On the debate stage, Drazan outright refused to denounce dangerous election deniers like avowed QAnon conspiracy theorist and Oregon GOP Senate nominee Jo Rae Perkins. 

As Election Day nears, extreme groups have ramped up their support for Drazan’s campaign. Last week, Oregon Right to Life started propping up her campaign with a new digital ad while Drazan campaigned alongside anti-choice former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. One of the nation’s most extreme anti-abortion groups also rallied behind Drazan last week with a new endorsement, a press conference, and new webpage. 

“If elected, Christine Drazan would cater to right-wing extremists and conspiracy theorists — just like she’s done throughout her campaign,” said Katie Wertheimer, communications director. “Tina Kotek is a fixer – always has been, always will be – and she is the leader we need to take on Oregon’s biggest challenges as our next Governor.”

[Portland, OR] – Today, Tina Kotek’s campaign for Governor launched a new ad denouncing Christine Drazan for her far-right, dangerous agenda and close ties to election deniers and violent extremists. 

Watch the new ad, “Stoking,” here.

The ad emphasizes how Drazan’s harmful record consists of killing solutions to the issues that matter most to Oregonians — including addressing homelessness and protecting the environment. 

The ad also calls out Drazan’s ties to election deniers and violent extremists and illustrates what’s at stake if right-wing Drazan is elected governor — from gutting protections for LGBTQ+ Oregonians to eliminating reproductive rights. 

Tina Kotek Communications Director Katie Wertheimer said: “Christine Drazan’s extremist allies and harmful record of opposing reproductive rights and solutions to the housing crisis may be in line with Donald Trump and the MAGA GOP, but they’re out of touch with working Oregonians. There’s too much at stake to allow Christine Drazan to put Oregon on a fast track to the far-right.” 

Full transcript of the new ad:

Narrator: “A made-for-tv candidate stoking fear, backed by election deniers and violent extremists, Christine Drazan is using Trump’s playbook. 

Drazan already killed bills to address homlessness and protect our environment. As governor, she’d ban abortions, gut protections for LGBTQ Oregonians, and worker protections too. 

So if you want Oregon to go hard right–”

Christine Drazan: “–then I’m your girl.” 

Narrator: “Drazan’s the wrong direction for Oregon.”

While Kotek has earned endorsements from 7 Editorial Boards, Republican Christine Drazan has earned none.

[Portland, OR] – As Tina Kotek focuses on fixing the biggest issues facing Oregon families, editorial boards across the state are touting her specific plans to fix Oregon’s homelessness crisis, pointing to her strong record of leadership and sense of urgency to back it up. In contrast, Republican Christine Drazan, who is promising a vague “new direction” that would actually push Oregon to the far right, has earned none.

Read How Editorial Boards Across Oregon are Praising Tina Kotek’s Plans to Address Homelessness: 

Oregonian: “Her talent for developing specific policy solutions is unrivaled, with her plan to address Oregon’s housing shortage and homelessness as a case study… The housing and homelessness plan on her campaign website shows her strategic approach to two of Oregon’s most urgent problems.” 

Portland Mercury: “Unlike her opponents, Kotek has a smart plan—and an actual track record—to combat homelessness. A critical aspect of keeping people off the street is more low-income housing, and during her time in the legislature Kotek pushed for a bill that would finally allow duplexes and triplexes in areas previously zoned for single-family homes, helped pass the nation’s first rent control law, and created legislation designed to help Metro fund housing services that really work—including Project Turnkey, which converts motels into transitional housing.”

Willamette Week: “Under her leadership, Democrats passed family medical leave and historic increases in the minimum wage, expanded health care coverage and made Oregon the first state in the nation to scrap zoning for single-family homes, an impediment to building more housing.” 

Bend Source Weekly: “Kotek is a hard-driving legislator. No one is arguing that. However, it is in this drive that we’ve actually seen progress in addressing the issue of homelessness, and in correcting the problems that led to so much inequality in the housing sector over the past few decades…. Our faith is on the one who’s prioritized what we believe is Oregon’s biggest challenge—homelessness and housing—and put her legislative career where her mouth is.” 

The Skanner: “She had little patience for her opponents’ hand-wringing and delays around solutions to the homelessness crisis, preferring to expand proven programs like Project Turnkey, which converts motels into temporary housing with service providers on-site.” 

Eugene Weekly: “She knows Oregon’s issues, from homelessness to wildfires, and has the plans — and the leadership skills — to address them.” 

The Daily Astorian: “Clatsop County — in the heart of Johnson’s former Senate District 16 — has had among the highest per capita rates of homelessness in Oregon. Astoria and Seaside, in particular, have struggled to cope with pressures around homeless camping and problematic behavior … With polls indicating that Johnson could draw more Democrats from Kotek than Republicans from Drazan, her presence in the race could help Drazan — who opposes abortion rights — become the first Republican governor elected in Oregon in 40 years.” 

[Portland, OR] – In the final days in the Oregon governor’s race, both Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan are making reproductive rights a top issue — and the contrast is more stark than ever.

This week, Tina Kotek traveled the state to lay out her plan to defend reproductive rights alongside leaders from Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon and health care providers. Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups started a new ad blitz to prop up Drazan, while she spent time campaigning with Chris Christie, an anti-choice former governor who gutted reproductive health care and is leading the Republican Party’s effort to ban abortion state-by-state, according to reporting from The Washington Post.

Yesterday, An Do, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon and Representative Rachel Prusak, a nurse practitioner, spoke out about Chris Christie’s visit to Oregon on a press call hosted by the Kotek campaign:

WATCH: TINA KOTEK CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO CHRIS CHRISTIE CAMPAIGNING IN OREGON FOR CHRISTINE DRAZAN 

Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon Executive Director An Do: “[Christie] has given us the playbook of how, as an anti-abortion governor, they can use their line-item veto — even in a state as pro-choice as New Jersey or Oregon — to take away access to health care. And we already know that Drazan has committed to following his lead.”

Rep. Prusak: “Taking away abortion rights is the Republican Party’s top priority, and it’s clear they’ve got their sights set on Oregon and are counting on Christine Drazan to carry out their mission. Why else would Drazan bring the Republican Party’s leading architect of their scheme to ban abortion nationwide to Oregon to campaign with her?”

The Tina Kotek campaign also released a new TV ad focusing on the threat Drazan poses to Oregonians’ abortion rights:

WATCH: New TV ad, “Safe.”

The GOP’s anti-choice allies also revved up their support for Drazan’s campaign this week. Oregon Right to Life is propping up her campaign with new digital ads. They also joined one of the nation’s most extreme anti-abortion groups to rally around Drazan with a new endorsement, a press conference and new webpage. 

While Drazan doubled down on her anti-choice agenda, Tina emphasized her commitment to defend reproductive freedom in events in Eugene, Bend, Portland, and Gresham.

From KVAL in Eugene: “Kotek promotes reproductive rights in campaign stop in Eugene”

“Democratic nominee for governor Tina Kotek began the second leg of her “get out the vote” tours in Eugene on Monday, pushing for reproductive rights. After wrapping up her “Fighting for Working Families” tour, Kotek visited the Democratic party headquarters and the University of Oregon as part of her “Defending our Reproductive Rights” tour. Kotek is focusing on the differences between her stance on abortion and her main opponent, Republican Christine Drazan.

“‘Drazan, who’s the Republican candidate, wants to ban abortion,’ Kotek said. ‘She’s been very clear about that, and as governor would have a lot of ability to impede the work that we have done here in Oregon to provide access to reproductive care. She even sponsored a bill in Oregon that would have gone after providers that are doing abortion care and putting them in jail. That’s a very serious shift of what we have had here in Oregon.’

“Although unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson promotes her position as pro-choice, Kotek has taken the stance that recent polling shows Johnson can’t win and so she says, ‘If people are still supporting Betsy Johnson, it has the potential to bring us an anti-abortion governor with Christine Drazan.’

From Central Oregon Daily News in Bend:

Democrat Tina Kotek held an event in Bend focusing on defending reproductive rights. Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, college students, local leaders came out to outline how this election could impact the issue of abortion and to urge people to vote.

Kotek also touted her Planned Parenthood endorsement.

“I am the only candidate in the race endorsed by organizations that people trust on the issue of reproductive rights, Planned Parenthood of Oregon, Pro-Choice Oregon and the Mother PAC and the Oregon Nurses Association. Because abortion is health care,” Kotek said.

This visit from Kotek was part of her “Get Out The Vote Tour.” The next topic she plans to tackle is “extremism” in politics.

On Wednesday, Tina was joined by Planned Parenthood of Oregon PAC Executive Director An Do, state Reps. Travis Nelson and Lisa Reynolds, and Dr. Paula Bednareck at a press event in Portland.

From KGW: Oregon governor candidates take stance on abortion, reproductive rights

“With less than two weeks until the Election Day Democratic candidate Tina Kotek, endorsed by Planned Parenthood, is traveling the state touting her record on reproductive rights in Oregon. 

“‘I helped pass the strongest legislation in the country to protect reproductive health care for Oregonians,’ said Kotek. ‘And that’s all kinds of healthcare. And it also includes abortion. That would all be at risk if there was a Republican governor.’”

Portland, OR] – Tina Kotek’s campaign released a new TV ad focusing on her vision to address issues of safety and livability in our communities.

In the ad, Kotek discusses her plans to address homelessness by enforcing the laws on the books, increasing public safety funding, and connecting people with treatment. Tina’s track record of leadership and comprehensive, forward-looking plans have earned praise from editorial boards across the state, including The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly, and Bend Source.

WATCH: “Certainly”

The ad also calls out Republican Christine Drazan for walking off her taxpayer-funded job as a state representative, which “killed many bills, including $120 million for homeless shelters and affordable housing project that then-Speaker Tina Kotek has proposed.” 

Here is the full transcript of the new ad:

Nobody in Oregon would say let’s keep doing exactly what we’ve been doing. Certainly not me. 

I called for a homelessness state of emergency nearly three years ago, while Kate Brown did nothing and Christine Drazan killed efforts to make our streets safer. 

I’ll enforce the laws on the books, increase public safety safety and get folks connected to treatment.

We certainly don’t need a red state takeover to clean up the damn trash. 

I’m Tina Kotek and I’ll move our state forward the right way.