Press Releases

[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. 

[Bend, OR] – Yesterday, one of the nation’s most extreme anti-abortion groups announced they’ve officially endorsed Christine Drazan for governor, calling her an “unwavering pro-life partner and fierce advocate.” 

The extreme group appears to be coordinating with Oregon Right to Life, which held a press conference in support of Drazan yesterday and launched a new webpage, where they stated Drazan is “committed” and “proven” when it comes to their shared agenda to ban abortion. 

Today in Bend, Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon Board Member Hilary Garrett joined Tina’s “Defending our Reproductive Rights” tour and responded to these alarming new developments:

“If you still aren’t convinced reproductive rights are on the ballot this November, let me tell you about the anti-abortion lobbying groups that have rallied behind Drazan in the last 24 hours: 

“Just yesterday, Oregon Right to Life held a press conference in support of Drazan. Oregon Right to Life openly advocates for an all-out abortion ban — without exceptions for survivors of rape and incest.

“They said Drazan is dedicated and ‘proven’ when it comes to their shared agenda to ban abortion. In fact, Drazan personally sponsored legislation in 2019 and 2020 that could jail doctors who provide abortion services. 

“And just yesterday, an extreme national anti-abortion group announced they are also endorsing Drazan. The group, called the ‘Abortion Survivors Network,’ said that Drazan is an ‘unwavering pro-life partner.’ 

“This same group was featured in a $10 million ad buy urging the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade. And now they’re backing Christine Drazan because they know she’ll stand with them to restrict our reproductive freedom.”

Tina Kotek’s campaign also released the following statement from communications director, Katie Wertheimer:

“The last 24 hours should serve as a warning to Oregon voters: Christine Drazan is in lock-step with the most extreme anti-abortion groups in the country, and she will absolutely work to take away our reproductive rights if she wins in November.”

“This is not a drill: some of the most extreme anti-abortion groups in Oregon and nationwide are hard at work to get her elected. Representative Drazan is trying to sweep all of this under the rug. She doesn’t want you to know how some of the most extreme anti-choice groups in the state and in the nation are working overtime to get her elected. But Oregonians will not be fooled — they will reject Drazan’s extreme anti-abortion agenda this November.”

About the extreme national anti-abortion group backing Drazan: The Abortion Survivors Network is a national anti-abortion group that sought to push through anti-choice policies across the country. The group is closely aligned with the extreme Susan B. Anthony List–which is working to restrict abortion “in every state and in every legislature…”  Abortion Survivors Network also filed an amicus brief in support of the Texas heartbeat bill and was apart of a $10 million ad campaign to support the Dobbs decision. 

Momentum Builds with Events Featuring U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, Gov. Jay Inslee, AFL-CIO President, Child Care Providers, and Oregon Workers

[Portland, OR] – Over the past five days, Tina Kotek rallied supporters in her “Fighting for Working Families” tour, highlighting the stark contrasts in the Governor’s race and encouraging Oregonians to vote.

Tina launched the tour with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and The Mother PAC last Wednesday at a local pharmacy in Southeast Portland. They laid out their shared goals of lowering prescription drug costs, making housing more affordable, and expanding access to affordable child care.

On Thursday, Tina and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler hosted a roundtable discussion with Oregon workers. From The Portland Tribune, “National AFL-CIO chief: Kotek has a ‘proven track record:’”

Shuler said, “Look at the amount of money that is being spent on attack ads. But we can beat big money every time at the grassroots. That’s what we do in the labor movement — knock on doors, make those phone calls and talk to people at work sites about the issues. Once you know where she stands on the issues, there is no choice except her — because she is with workers every time.“

On Friday, the Tina Kotek campaign launched a new digital ad featuring former President Barack Obama, first reported by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, “Obama records Kotek campaign ad in tight Oregon Governor race:

“In the video, a seated Obama talks directly to the camera, calling Kotek the “real deal.” He describes her legislation to raise the state minimum wage and pass the country’s strongest abortion protections, as well as her campaign priorities of lowering housing and health care costs, protecting the environment and supporting workers. 

“‘Tina knows things are broken, but she’s a fixer. Always has been, always will be,’ Obama said. ‘And she’s the leader we need in this moment.’”

The “Fighting for Working Families” tour also focused on Tina’s housing and homelessness plans, including a stop in Corvallis on Friday.

Unlike Drazan and Betsy Johnson, Tina is bringing forward real solutions to solve our homelessness crisis.

Project Turnkey, which converts motels into shelters, is a great example. Tina visited one of the successful Turnkey sites in Corvallis. From KVAL: “Democratic candidate for Oregon Governor, Tina Kotek, visits Corvallis:”

“Democratic candidate for Oregon Governor, Tina Kotek, says her goal over the final two and a half weeks is to talk to every voter possible about solutions for Oregon’s problems.

“One of the biggest problems is homelessness, and on Friday Kotek was in Corvallis supporting a possible solution.

“As governor, Tina Kotek says she would work on solving problems.”

On Saturday afternoon, Tina met with child care providers in Washington County for an important conversation about how they are struggling to stay open and how the state can step up support.

In the evening, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren headlined a huge Get Out The Vote Rally at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, An Do from Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, and the Decemberists fired up local Tina supporters and urged them to knock doors, make phone calls, and help elect Tina as our next governor.

From KGW: “‘I came here because Oregon is dangerously close to flipping red’ | Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigns for Tina Kotek in Portland:”

“‘I didn’t come here because I believe this is a safe seat. I came here because Oregon is dangerously close to flipping red, and we have 17 election days to keep that from happen,’ Sen. Warren told the crowd. 

“The Senator from Massachusetts pleaded for attendees to keep door-knocking, phone-banking and rallying support around Kotek. 

“‘I will be a governor for the entire state,’ said Kotek, ‘And on day one, we’re going to get to work – taking on our homelessness challenge, making sure people have access to mental health and addiction treatment. We have work to do here and we don’t have to become a right-wing state to fix our problems.’”

On Sunday, Tina joined a powerful discussion with child care providers, working parents, and Governor Jay Inslee in Astoria. Tina heard directly from parents who said that without access to child care, they might be forced to quit their jobs or move out of the community. She also heard from a local elementary school teacher who is using Student Success funding, which Tina championed in 2019, to expand early learning opportunities.

Christine Drazan voted against the Student Success Act, which created a new, dedicated Early Learning fund that is providing about $200 million every year to fund early learning programs. This funding is serving about 15,000 kids under the age of five and their families. Still, Drazan is actively campaigning on a promise to cut the Student Success funding, and she will always side with big corporations over working families.

Tina finished her “Fighting for Working Families” tour by visiting small business owners in Seaside and supporters in Newport on Sunday, emphasizing her commitment to tackle our housing and homelessness crisis, expand access to mental health and addiction services, and keep working to create better opportunities for all Oregonians to thrive.

[Portland, OR] – Today, Tina Kotek’s campaign launched a new digital ad featuring former President Barack Obama. In the ad, first reported by Julia Shumway in the Oregon Capital Chronicle,  President Obama says, “Tina knows things are broken, but she’s a fixer — always has been, always will be. And she’s the leader we need in this moment.”

Watch the new digital ad here. 

In his message to Oregonians, President Obama praises Tina’s leadership in raising the minimum wage, protecting reproductive rights, and standing up for workers. He also emphasizes Tina’s problem-solving agenda, including her plans to make housing and health care more affordable.

Here is the full transcript of President Obama’s video in support of Tina: 

“Oregon, I want to tell you about my friend, Tina Kotek. She’s the real deal. Tina led the effort to raise Oregon’s minimum wage. She stands up to workers and our environment, and she’s fighting to lower the cost of housing and health care. 

“Tina knows things are broken, but she’s a fixer — always has been, always will be. And she’s the leader we need in this moment. Tina passed the strongest abortion access law in the country. And as governor, she’ll bring people together to tackle Oregon’s challenges, fight for the values we share, and build a better future for everyone. 

“Oregon, I’m counting on you. Mail your ballot back by November 8th, and vote Tina Kotek for governor.”

[Portland, OR] – During tonight’s KGW/The Oregonian debate, Tina Kotek proved why she is the only candidate for governor endorsed by major news outlets across the state, including The Oregonian, Willamette Week, Eugene Weekly, Bend Source Weekly and The Skanner: she is the only candidate ready to tackle Oregon’s biggest challenges, with the state’s housing and homelessness crisis at the top of the list.

In response to a question about homelessness, Tina showed the contrast between her leadership and Republican Christine Drazan’s obstructionism:

“Nearly three years ago, I called for a homelessness state of emergency here in our state… Governor Brown did nothing. And what’s worse, Representative Drazan walked her Republican colleagues off the job, and $120 million in funding that could have gone to shelters and new affordable housing construction… didn’t happen. We lost momentum. I will lead where Governor Brown couldn’t or wouldn’t lead on this issue, and Representative Drazan’s record on this is one of failure.”

Republican Christine Drazan made news when she stunningly failed to condemn the growing faction of Republicans who are following Donald Trump’s lead and still refusing to accept the results of the 2020 elections.

Even when pushed by the debate’s moderators, Drazan refused to answer their question about whether election deniers should be disqualified from holding office. 

Instead of standing up to extremism tonight, Drazan is doubling down on her support for U.S. Senate candidate Jo Rae Perkins, who was present at the January 6th insurrection, called it the “American Revolution,” and actively denies the results of the 2020 election.

This is not the first time that Drazan has failed to condemn extremism. As HuffPost reported: “Christine Drazan is campaigning with a far-right militia leader and taking money from a guy who bankrolled one of the main organizers of the Jan. 6 rally.”

“Tonight Tina Kotek showed – once again – that she is the only candidate with a serious, urgent plan of action to address Oregon’s housing and homelessness crisis,” said Katie Wertheimer, communications director. “Meanwhile, Christine Drazan’s failure to condemn election deniers in tonight’s debate proves that she will side with the most extreme MAGA Republicans over the best interests of Oregonians.”

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[Portland, OR] – During tonight’s KGW debate, Republican Christine Drazan stunningly failed to condemn the growing faction of Republicans who are following Donald Trump’s lead and still refuse to accept the results of the 2020 elections.

Even when pushed by the debate’s moderators, Drazan refused to answer their question about whether election deniers should be disqualified from holding office. 

Instead of standing up to extremism tonight, Drazan is doubling down on her support for U.S. Senate candidate Jo Rae Perkins, who was present at the January 6th insurrection, called it the “American Revolution,” and actively denies the results of the 2020 election.

This is not the first time that Drazan has failed to condemn extremism. As HuffPost reported: “Christine Drazan is campaigning with a far-right militia leader and taking money from a guy who bankrolled one of the main organizers of the Jan. 6 rally.”

“The threats to our democracy are very real – and they are here in Oregon, including in the Governor’s race,” said Katie Wertheimer, communications director. “Christine Drazan’s failure to condemn election deniers in tonight’s debate shows she’s willing to stand with the most extreme members of her party over Oregonians – she is clearly too extreme for Oregon.”

With Support Fading for Johnson, Tina Positioned to Make Further Gains Among Democrats

[Portland, OR] – The Democratic candidate for Governor, Tina Kotek, is holding a two-point lead (40%) over Republican Christine Drazan (38%), according to new polling conducted by GBAO on behalf of the Tina Kotek campaign. Non-affiliated candidate Betsy Johnson lags far behind at 14%, and her support has been steadily dropping since August.

The following are key findings from the poll of 800 likely voters:

• Tina’s lead is razor-thin. With just three weeks until the election, a two-point lead in a survey with a 3.5 percentage point margin of error is anything but safe.
  
• With Betsy Johnson’s support fading, Tina is in a position to make further gains among Democrats. Johnson’s support has fallen to just 10% among Democrats, down from a high of 16%. Though Johnson still garners slightly more votes from Democrats than Republicans, this is an opportunity for Tina to further consolidate Democrats and expand her narrow lead as Democrats see the threat of a red-state takeover.

“Tina Kotek is the only candidate for Governor who will fight for working families, defend our reproductive rights, and stand up to extremism,” said Katie Wertheimer, communications director. “As voters learn that this is a two-way race, Christine Drazan’s right-wing record of supporting abortion bans, sponsoring legislation that could jail abortion providers, campaigning with violent extremists, and opposing environmental protections will be a deal breaker for moderate and swing voters in Oregon.”

Full Polling Memo from GBAO Available HERE.

Eugene Mayor: “Christine Drazan’s only record on Oregon’s homelessness crisis is that she chose partisanship and corporate special interests over Oregonians”

[Salem, OR] – Local elected officials from Beaverton, Eugene, and Salem joined Tina Kotek for a press conference in Salem yesterday to set the record straight on Republican Christine Drazan’s failed record on homelessness.

Almost three years ago, Tina Kotek called for a state of emergency on Oregon’s homelessness crisis and laid out a plan to invest over $120 million to support more homeless navigation centers/shelters around the state and build more affordable housing.

But a few weeks later, Christine Drazan led the House Republican Caucus to walk off the job, killing the homelessness package that Tina developed.

“When Christine Drazan walked out of the legislature, she walked out on the most vulnerable people I know,” said Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke. “Thanks to that walkout, the City of Salem had to postpone its plans to open the navigation center, and since that walkout, far too many residents of Salem have died living on our streets. We’ll never know how many of those people would have been saved by a navigation center, by a tiny connection to services that work.”

“While Tina was fighting to get more homeless Oregonians into housing, Chrisitne Drazan was stomping her feet and walking off of the job. As a veteran, I’m troubled that someone who was elected to serve our communities would go AWOL,” said Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty. “We need a governor who will stay at the table to come up with solutions, even when it’s hard – especially when it’s hard … The so-called ‘new direction’ Drazan is offering will take us down the wrong track, and it won’t solve a single one of our problems. In fact, it will make it worse.”

“Twelve days after Republicans walked out, Eugene was compelled to shut down because of COVID, cutting in half the number of homeless Oregonians we could accommodate in our shelters,” said Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis. “The walkout left our city without the promise of state resources to help us meet the critically dramatic need in our city … Christine Drazan’s only record on Oregon’s homelessness crisis is that she chose partisanship and corporate special interests over Oregonians. She hasn’t done anything to help but she has done a lot to make it worse.”

“I want to speak directly to Oregonians who are fed up with how things are going, who no longer want to see their neighbors living on the streets. I promise you this: I will lead where Kate Brown didn’t. I will roll up my sleeves, I will put a strategic plan in place, I will make sure that our government is accountable,” said Tina Kotek, Democratic candidate for governor. “And unlike Christine Drazan, I will never walk off the job.”

“Christine Drazan is a good politician, but a terrible liar.”

[Portland, OR] – The Tina Kotek campaign launched a new TV ad setting the record straight on Republican Christine Drazan’s failed record on homelessness.

Almost three years ago, Tina Kotek called for a state of emergency on Oregon’s homelessness crisis. Governor Kate Brown did nothing. Republican Christine Drazan did even worse: she walked off the job, killing millions of dollars for homeless shelters and affordable housing construction.

But, Drazan’s failed record doesn’t end there:

• Drazan voted against legislation to prevent no-cause evictions and protect Oregonians from huge rent spikes.
• Drazan opposed legislation to protect Oregonians from being evicted or losing their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Drazan also opposed expanding the state’s shelter capacity by purchasing and converting motels, an effort that increased shelter capacity statewide by 20% in less than seven months.

“The national GOP and Christine Drazan’s campaign are spending millions on false attack ads in an attempt to distract from the truth: Drazan opposed every effort to address Oregon’s homelessness crisis, and she has zero plans to address it now,” said Katie Wertheimer, communications director. “The only so-called ‘new direction’ Drazan is offering is a hard turn to the right-wing that most Oregon voters do not want.”

Click HERE to view “Liar”

Below is the transcript for “Liar”:

[Narrator]: Christine Drazan’s ads? They’re just not true.

Tina Kotek called for a homelessness state of emergency nearly three years ago.

Not Kate Brown, not Christine Drazan.

In fact, the action that Kotek pushed? More shelters. More drug and mental health treatment. More resources for public safety.

Christine Drazan killed it all.

The only change she’s offering is a hard-right turn.

Christine Drazan is a good politician, but a terrible liar.