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Oregon News
2026 ELECTION
Oregon Gov. Kotek announces 2026 reelection bid, setting up Drazan rematch
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
Gov. Tina Kotek said Thursday that she will seek reelection next year, a long expected announcement that sets the stage for a possible 2026 rematch between her and Republican lawmaker Christine Drazan.
Kotek, a Democrat who previously served as Oregon House speaker for nine years, has launched a variety of initiatives intended to curb the state’s growing crises. She has successfully pushed lawmakers to alter the state’s land use laws to encourage housing development, establish a statewide system to regulate homeless shelters, more closely scrutinize school districts on their use of state dollars and pour millions of dollars into housing development and behavioral health services.
But those policies have mostly not translated into tangible wins for Oregonians. The state, particularly in the Portland area, has continued to face high housing costs, sluggish population growth, high rates of chronic absenteeism in schools and a persistently high number of homeless people living on city streets.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek confirms she will be seeking reelection in 2026
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
The official “Tina for Oregon” announcement marks a notable shift in tone from when Kotek announced her 2022 bid and denounced “the politics of division” on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, her approval ratings have ranked among some of the most unpopular Democratic and Republican governors.
One of her most high-profile controversies involved the nixed “Office of the First Spouse” Kotek was considering creating in 2024 amid scrutiny over multiple departures of staff from her office. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission went on to dismiss complaints against her on the grounds that there was no evidence that Kotek or her wife would benefit from an unpaid volunteer position.
But a challenger to Kotek will likely face an uphill battle, with the most recent Republican Oregon governor winning election in the 1980s. Results from off-year and special elections suggest the upcoming election year will also be difficult for Republicans, who have majorities in both chambers of Congress while an unpopular Republican president holds office. A recent poll of Oregon voters commissioned by the Democratic Governor’s Association found that 61% of respondents prefer a candidate who will challenge Trump’s policies, while 34% said they were in favor of someone who will implement them.
Kotek could also face headwinds due to the ongoing limbo facing the $4.3 billion transportation package that the Legislature struggled to get across the finish line this year. Drazan in June led House Republicans in effectively running out the clock and preventing the effort from moving forward. That left Democrats to pass an emergency funding measure during a lengthy special session through increases in the state’s gas tax, vehicle registration and title fees and a transit payroll tax.
The Republican lawmakers now leading a push to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot for voters to undo the tax and fee hikes have reported receiving nearly double the 78,116 signatures needed. Political observers have speculated that Oregon lawmakers may work to schedule the measure for the May 2026 primary election instead of running their general election candidates while defending unpopular tax hikes.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announces reelection bid
OPB | By Bryce Dole
In her announcement, Kotek pointed to examples she claims are evidence of Oregon’s progress during her tenure, in everything from housing to education to abortion rights.
But her campaign comes as the state faces economic challenges and compounding crises in housing, mental health and addiction that she has long pledged to fix.
Kotek has steered vast sums of state funds toward these issues during her term. Still, homelessness has increased, annual housing production has dropped, and the state’s schools are mired by some of the nation’s lowest standardized testing scores.
The road ahead for Kotek already looks tricky. Opponents of her recently passed transportation bill say they have more than enough signatures to send the bill to voters.
If that happens, her Republican opponents are all but certain to tie Kotek to the bill’s tax increases, a political challenge for the governor as many Oregonians remain gripped by the rising cost of living.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek launches 2026 reelection campaign
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
Kotek has faced criticism over concerns regarding her wife's role in her office and her handling of the special session for transportation funding.
She'll have to work out a solution with Republicans ahead of the November 2026 election, or likely will be on the same ballot as a referendum effort over cost increases in her transportation package.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announces that she's running for reelection in 2026
KGW | By John Tanet
Drazan — who has since been appointed to the Oregon State Senate — recently announced that she will be running again in 2026 as well. She appeared on KGW's Straight Talk for an interview and sharply criticized Kotek's gubernatorial performance. Drazan gave the following reaction to Kotek's announcement:
"Tina is all talk and no results. She wants Oregonians to believe this race is about Washington, D.C., when it’s really about our home. This is Oregon’s time of choosing. This is our chance to choose a brighter future for our families — not the broken promises and stalled progress of her time in office. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Our state has everything it needs to be the best place in America to raise a family, build a home, start a business and receive a world-class education. But we won’t get there with Tina Kotek — we need new leadership."
Progressive organizer, archaeologist from Springfield seeks to fill state House seat
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
Ky Fireside, an archaeologist and Springfield-based activist, filed their campaign paperwork in late October for Oregon’s 7th House District, currently represented by Rep. John Lively, D-Springfield. After winning Springfield’s state house elections since 2012, Lively, 79, announced in early November that he would retire at the end of his term in January 2027, citing age as a significant factor.
“I can’t find anyone that’s saying ‘Yes, queer people are under attack by the federal government and I’m going to protect them.’ I don’t see anyone saying ‘We’re in a health care crisis right now, and this is an emergency situation,’” Fireside told the Capital Chronicle. “Everybody’s just so very centrist, and that’s not working. All the centrists are just being dragged to the right.”
POLITICS
Federal contempt fines over Oregon State Hospital top $1.4 million
The Lund Report | By Joanne Zuhl
Fines levied by a federal judge over delays in admissions to the Oregon State Hospital have surpassed $1 million for the first time, even as state health officials’ efforts to curb those fines continue to generate controversy.
Oregon dad blasts state-issued gender identity survey for elementary students
Fox News
Chuck Gonzales, an Oregon father, details the state-issued survey on gender identity and sexual orientation given to elementary students on ‘America Reports.’
PSU professor put on leave over Hamas comments threatens lawsuit
The Oregonian | By Austin De Dios
The Portland State University professor put on leave after being captured on video self-identifying as a member of Hamas in June could sue the school, documents show.
ECONOMY
Gas prices: US average drop below $3 — but not in Oregon, Washington
KOIN 6 | By Addy Bink
For the first time since 2021, the national average for a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. has dropped below $3, but not every state gets to enjoy the record-low price.
Map shows where Oregon kids will get $250 gift from billionaires
The Oregonian | By Aimee Green, Mark Friesen
Nearly 80% of U.S. children ages 10 and under are slated to receive a $250 gift — placed into an interest-bearing account until they reach adulthood — from tech billionaire couple Michael and Susan Dell, who announced their massive donation this week.
The Oregonian/OregonLive mapped 431 populated Oregon ZIP codes and found that nearly every one of them will meet that threshold, according to the latest figures available.
HOUSING
Report says Oregon lagging in housing production despite progress
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
Oregon has created 6,388 affordable housing units since Gov. Tina Kotek took office in 2023 and is positioned to build 250,000 more homes by 2035, according to data released Dec. 3.
HOMELESSNESS & DRUGS
Petitioners call on Portland to prioritize rent assistance, affordable housing after mayor hits shelter goal
KGW | By Blair Best
A new proposal from Councilor Candace Avalos and her District 1 colleagues would put $21 million in unspent funds toward methods meant to keep people housed.
Two City Councilors say Portland Mayor's focus on unsheltered homelessness falls short
KATU | By Tanvi Varma
As the number of people falling into homelessness continues to rise in Multnomah County, two Portland City Councilors are pushing back on the mayor's efforts to add more shelter beds.
Readers respond: Deflection center wasting time
The Oregonian | Letter to the Editor
The poor results and per capita cost are embarrassing. If this were a business, it would rightly be shut down and forced into bankruptcy. Meanwhile our city’s livability and commercial viability continue to endure tremendous strain from literally thousands of residents not being treated for drug addiction. And, sadly, most addicts continue to live in intolerable conditions.
We need to acknowledge the fact that the vast majority of drug addicts are not interested or capable of voluntarily seeking drug treatment. That’s not a judgment but simply a fact amply evidenced by our very unsuccessful efforts to date. Until we acknowledge this reality and take a significantly more assertive approach — rather than a voluntary approach — to treating addiction, then very little will change, and Portland’s struggles will continue or even worsen.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
Oregon’s largest teachers’ union hosts training to protect students from ICE
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
More than 600 teachers and school staff are expected to attend training sessions in Bend, Eugene and Oregon City over the weekend.
Oregon Senate leader condemns Trump's attacks on Somali immigrants
KGW | By Sabinna Pierre
Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama on Wednesday condemned President Donald Trump's remarks about Somali immigrants, calling the administration's policies driven by "racism and Islamophobia."
Portland approves ‘impact fee’ targeting ICE detention center. What that means is less clear
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Portland leaders approved a measure Wednesday that could lead to big financial bills for the landlord of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the South Waterfront neighborhood.
ICE officers reveal arrest quotas, facial recognition use in Oregon dragnet
The Oregonian | By Maxine Bernstein
A handful of federal immigration enforcement officers in three unmarked SUVS waited outside a Woodburn apartment complex early on Oct. 30, describing the spot in a text exchange as “target rich.”
Oregon congresswoman trolls Trump with Spotify Wrapped spoof
The Oregonian | By Joel Odom
Well, according to an Instagram post from U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, much of the Oregon congresswoman’s listening habits from the past year weren’t music to the Democrat’s ears at all. They centered around Republican President Donald Trump.
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