Governor of Oregon
Oregon Governor | |
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General information | |
Office Type: | Partisan |
Office website: | Official Link |
Compensation: | $98,600 |
2023-25 FY Budget: | $30,955,627 |
Term limits: | 8 years in office during any 12 year period |
Structure | |
Length of term: | 4 years |
Authority: | Oregon Constitution, Article V, Section I |
Selection Method: | Elected |
Current Officeholder | |
Governor of Oregon
Tina Kotek | |
Elections | |
Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
Other Oregon Executive Offices | |
Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission |
The Governor of the State of Oregon is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch, and the highest state office in Oregon. The governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two four-year terms out of a 12-year span.[1]
Oregon has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Oregon has a Democratic triplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Governor of Oregon is Tina Kotek (D). Kotek assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The Oregon Constitution addresses the office of the governor in Article V, the Executive Department.[1]
Under Article V, Section I:
The cheif [sic] executive power of the State, shall be vested in a Governor... |
Qualifications
State Executives |
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Current Governors |
Gubernatorial Elections |
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 |
Current Lt. Governors |
Lt. Governor Elections |
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 |
A candidate for the governorship must be:
- a United States citizen
- at least 30 years old
- a resident of Oregon for at least three years
The age requirement does not apply to someone who succeeds to office under Section 8a of Article V.[1]
Vacancies
- See also: How gubernatorial vacancies are filled
Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article V, Section 8a.
The state of Oregon has no formal office of the lieutenant governor. Instead, the secretary of state serves as the ex officio lieutenant governor and succeeds the governor if the latter dies, resigns, is removed from office, or is unable to discharge the office.
After the secretary of state, the treasurer, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and then the Speaker of the House shall follow in the line of succession.
An acting governor holds the office until the governor's disability is removed or until the next biennial election, when a special election shall be held. When the treasurer or secretary of state is the acting governor, an appointment is made for someone to fill the office of the treasurer or secretary of state.
An appointed treasurer or secretary of state may not succeed to the elected governorship.
Elections
Oregon elects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For Oregon, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the second Monday in the January following an election.
In the event of a tie, a joint session of the legislature shall cast ballots to choose from the two top vote getters. If the election is contested, the legislature shall decide the manner of addressing and settling the contest.[1]
Term limits
- See also: States with gubernatorial term limits
Oregon governors are restricted to 8 years in office during any 12 year period.
Oregon Constitution, Article V, Section 1
The cheif [sic] executive power of the State, shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold his office for the term of four years; and no person shall be eligible to such office more than Eight, in any period of twelve years.[1] |
Partisan composition
The chart below shows the partisan breakdown of Oregon governors from 1992 to 2013.
2022
- See also: Oregon gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Oregon
The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Oregon on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Tina Kotek (D / Working Families Party) | 47.0 | 917,074 | |
![]() | Christine Drazan (R) | 43.5 | 850,347 | |
Betsy Johnson (Independent) | 8.6 | 168,431 | ||
![]() | Donice Smith (Constitution Party) | 0.4 | 8,051 | |
![]() | R. Leon Noble (L) ![]() | 0.4 | 6,867 | |
![]() | Paul Romero (Constitution Party of Oregon) (Write-in) ![]() | 0.0 | 0 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,113 |
Total votes: 1,952,883 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Nathalie Paravicini (Pacific Green Party / Progressive Party)
- Tom Cox (L)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Oregon
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of Oregon on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Tina Kotek | 56.0 | 275,301 | |
![]() | Tobias Read | 31.7 | 156,017 | |
Patrick Starnes ![]() | 2.1 | 10,524 | ||
![]() | George Carrillo ![]() | 1.9 | 9,365 | |
![]() | Michael Trimble ![]() | 1.0 | 5,000 | |
![]() | John Sweeney | 0.9 | 4,193 | |
![]() | Julian Bell ![]() | 0.8 | 3,926 | |
![]() | Wilson Bright ![]() | 0.5 | 2,316 | |
![]() | Dave Stauffer | 0.5 | 2,302 | |
![]() | Ifeanyichukwu Diru | 0.4 | 1,780 | |
![]() | Keisha Merchant | 0.4 | 1,755 | |
![]() | Genevieve Wilson | 0.3 | 1,588 | |
![]() | Michael Cross | 0.3 | 1,342 | |
![]() | David Beem | 0.3 | 1,308 | |
![]() | Peter Hall | 0.2 | 982 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 2.8 | 13,746 |
Total votes: 491,445 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Peter Winter (D)
- Casey Kulla (D)
- Nicholas Kristof (D)
- Dave Lavinsky (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Oregon
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Oregon on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Christine Drazan | 22.5 | 85,255 |
![]() | Bob Tiernan | 17.5 | 66,089 | |
![]() | Stan Pulliam | 10.9 | 41,123 | |
![]() | Bridget Barton ![]() | 10.8 | 40,886 | |
![]() | Bud Pierce ![]() | 8.7 | 32,965 | |
![]() | Marc Thielman ![]() | 7.9 | 30,076 | |
![]() | Kerry McQuisten | 7.6 | 28,727 | |
![]() | Bill Sizemore | 3.5 | 13,261 | |
![]() | Jessica Gomez | 2.6 | 9,970 | |
![]() | Tim McCloud ![]() | 1.2 | 4,400 | |
Nick Hess ![]() | 1.1 | 4,287 | ||
![]() | Court Boice | 1.1 | 4,040 | |
![]() | Brandon Merritt ![]() | 1.0 | 3,615 | |
![]() | Reed Christensen | 0.8 | 3,082 | |
![]() | Amber Richardson ![]() | 0.5 | 1,924 | |
![]() | Raymond Baldwin | 0.1 | 459 | |
![]() | David Burch | 0.1 | 406 | |
![]() | John Presco | 0.0 | 174 | |
![]() | Stefan Strek | 0.0 | 171 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 2.0 | 7,407 |
Total votes: 378,317 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Darin Harbick (R)
- John Fosdick III (R)
- Jim Huggins (R)
2018
- See also: Oregon gubernatorial election, 2018
General election
General election for Governor of Oregon
The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Oregon on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kate Brown (D) ![]() | 50.1 | 934,498 |
![]() | Knute Buehler (R) | 43.7 | 814,988 | |
Patrick Starnes (Independent Party of Oregon) | 2.9 | 53,392 | ||
![]() | Nick Chen (L) | 1.5 | 28,927 | |
![]() | Aaron Auer (Constitution Party) | 1.1 | 21,145 | |
![]() | Chris Henry (Progressive Party) | 0.6 | 11,013 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 3,034 |
Total votes: 1,866,997 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Alex DiBlasi (G)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Oregon
Incumbent Kate Brown defeated Ed Jones and Candace Neville in the Democratic primary for Governor of Oregon on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kate Brown ![]() | 83.8 | 324,451 |
![]() | Ed Jones | 8.6 | 33,464 | |
![]() | Candace Neville | 7.5 | 29,110 |
Total votes: 387,025 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Oregon
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Oregon on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Knute Buehler | 46.1 | 144,103 |
![]() | Sam Carpenter | 29.0 | 90,572 | |
![]() | Greg Wooldridge | 20.2 | 63,049 | |
![]() | Bruce Cuff | 1.6 | 4,857 | |
![]() | Jeff Smith | 1.5 | 4,691 | |
![]() | Dave Stauffer | 0.7 | 2,096 | |
![]() | Jonathan Edwards | 0.3 | 861 | |
![]() | Keenan Bohach | 0.3 | 787 | |
![]() | Brett Hyland | 0.2 | 755 | |
![]() | Jack Tacy | 0.2 | 512 |
Total votes: 312,283 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Independent Party of Oregon primary election
Independent Party of Oregon primary for Governor of Oregon
Patrick Starnes defeated Skye Allen and Dan Pistoresi in the Independent Party of Oregon primary for Governor of Oregon on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Patrick Starnes | 58.7 | 6,030 | |
![]() | Skye Allen | 23.4 | 2,405 | |
![]() | Dan Pistoresi | 18.0 | 1,846 |
Total votes: 10,281 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Shawn Liebling (Independent Party of Oregon)
2016
The special election for Governor was held on November 8, 2016.
Incumbent Kate Brown defeated Bud Pierce, Cliff Thomason, James Foster, and Aaron Auer in the Oregon governor election.[2]
Oregon Governor, 2016 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic/Working Families | ![]() |
50.70% | 985,027 | |
Republican | Bud Pierce | 43.53% | 845,609 | |
Independent Party of Oregon | Cliff Thomason | 2.44% | 47,481 | |
Libertarian | James Foster | 2.33% | 45,191 | |
Constitution Party | Aaron Auer | 1.00% | 19,400 | |
Total Votes | 1,942,708 | |||
Source: Oregon Secretary of State |
Full history
2014
- See also: Oregon gubernatorial election, 2014
Democratic incumbent John Kitzhaber won re-election on November 4, 2014.
Governor of Oregon, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
49.9% | 733,230 | |
Republican | Dennis Richardson | 44.1% | 648,542 | |
Pacific Green | Jason Levin | 2% | 29,561 | |
Libertarian | Paul Grad | 1.5% | 21,903 | |
Constitution | Aaron Auer | 1.1% | 15,929 | |
Progressive | Chris Henry | 0.9% | 13,898 | |
Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.5% | 6,654 | |
Total Votes | 1,469,717 | |||
Election results via Oregon Secretary of State |
To view the electoral history dating back to 2002 for the office of Governor of Oregon, click [show] to expand the section. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2010 On November 2, 2010, John Kitzhaber won election to the office of Governor of Oregon. He defeated Chris Dudley, Wes Wagner and Greg Kord in the general election.
2006 On November 7, 2006, Ted Kulongoski won re-election to the office of Governor of Oregon. He defeated Ron Saxton, Mary Starrett, Joe Keating and Richard Morley in the general election.
2002 On November 5, 2002, Ted Kulongoski won election to the office of Governor of Oregon. He defeated Kevin L. Mannix and Tom Cox in the general election.
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Duties
The governor is the commander-in-chief of the state military (§ 9). The governor also has the power to grant pardons and reprieves and to commute sentences (§ 14). The governor may convene a special session of the state legislature (§ 12).
Additionally, the governor serves on the State Land Board which is tasked with managing state-owned lands to "obtain the greatest benefit for the people of Oregon, consistent with resource conservation and sound land management."
Other duties and privileges of the office include:
- Making periodic addresses to the General Assembly concerning and the state of the state and making recommendations on legislation (§ 11)
- Upholding and ensuring the faithful execution of all state laws (§ 10)
- Requiring written information from the head of any Administrative or Military Department on their duties and offices (§ 13)
- Vetoing bills, including enjoying a line-item veto and an emergency clause veto (§ 15a). The gubernatorial veto is subject to a two-third majority override of the legislature (§ 15b)
- Making vacancies, including recess vacancies, for all offices not otherwise provided for. The appointment shall be for the remainder of the term if the next general election is within 61 days. Otherwise, a special election shall be called (§ 16)
- Issuing writs of special election for all vacancies that occur in the legislature (§ 17)
- Signing all commissions issues in the name of the state of Oregon (§ 18)[1]
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Governor of Oregon has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
Role in state budget
- See also: Oregon state budget and finances
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[3]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in March.
- State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
- Agency hearings are held between September and November.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by December 1. For new governors, the deadline is the first day the legislature convenes.
- The legislature adopts a budget between February and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins July 1.
Oregon is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[3][4]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[3]
Governor's office budget
The budget for the governor's office for the 2023-25 biennium was $30,955,627.[5]
Compensation
See statutes: Chapter 292, Section 311 of the Oklahoma Statutes
The governor, along with the rest of Oregon's elected executives, is entitled to an annual salary, payable monthly, in accordance with Title 28, Chapter 292, Section 311 (§ 292.311) of the Oregon Statutes.
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2021
In 2021, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2020
In 2020, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2017
In 2017, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, the governor received a salary of $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, the governor's salary was increased to $98,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, the governor's salary remained at $93,600, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
Historical officeholders
There have been 38 gubernatorial administrations and 37 governors of Oregon since 1859. Of the 37 officeholders, 20 were Republican, 16 were Democratic, and one was an Independent.[16]
List of officeholders from 1859-present | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Name | Tenure | Party | ||
1 | John Whiteaker | 1859 - 1862 | ![]() | ||
2 | Addison C. Gibbs | 1862 - 1866 | ![]() | ||
3 | George Lemuel Woods | 1866 - 1870 | ![]() | ||
4 | Lafayette Grover | 1870 - 1877 | ![]() | ||
5 | Stephen Fowler Chadwick | 1877 - 1878 | ![]() | ||
6 | William Wallace Thayer | 1878 - 1882 | ![]() | ||
7 | Zenas Perry Moody | 1882 - 1887 | ![]() | ||
8 | Sylvester Pennoyer | 1887 - 1895 | ![]() | ||
9 | William Paine Lord | 1895 - 1899 | ![]() | ||
10 | Theodore T. Geer | 1899 - 1903 | ![]() | ||
11 | George Earle Chamberlain | 1903 - 1909 | ![]() | ||
12 | Frank W. Benson | 1909 - 1910 | ![]() | ||
13 | Jay Bowerman | 1910 - 1911 | ![]() | ||
14 | Oswald West | 1911 - 1915 | ![]() | ||
15 | James Withycombe | 1915 - 1919 | ![]() | ||
16 | Ben Olcott | 1919 - 1923 | ![]() | ||
17 | Walter Marcus Pierce | 1923 - 1927 | ![]() | ||
18 | Isaac Lee Patterson | 1927 - 1929 | ![]() | ||
19 | Albin Walter Norblad | 1929 - 1931 | ![]() | ||
20 | Julius L. Meier | 1931 - 1935 | Independent | ||
21 | Charles Henry Martin | 1935 - 1939 | ![]() | ||
22 | Charles Arthur Sprague | 1939 - 1943 | ![]() | ||
23 | Earl Wilcox Snell | 1943 - 1947 | ![]() | ||
24 | John Hubert Hall | 1947 - 1949 | ![]() | ||
25 | James Douglas McKay | 1949 - 1952 | ![]() | ||
26 | Paul Linton Patterson | 1952 - 1956 | ![]() | ||
27 | Elmo Everett Smith | 1956 - 1957 | ![]() | ||
28 | Robert Denison Holmes | 1957 - 1959 | ![]() | ||
29 | Mark Odom Hatfield | 1959 - 1967 | ![]() | ||
30 | Thomas Lawson McCall | 1967 - 1975 | ![]() | ||
31 | Robert William Straub | 1975 - 1979 | ![]() | ||
32 | Victor G. Atiyeh | 1979 - 1987 | ![]() | ||
33 | Neil Goldschmidt | 1987 - 1991 | ![]() | ||
34 | Barbara Roberts | 1991 - 1995 | ![]() | ||
35 | John Kitzhaber | 1995 – 2003 | ![]() | ||
36 | Ted Kulongoski | 2003 - 2011 | ![]() | ||
37 | John Kitzhaber | 2011 – 2015 | ![]() | ||
38 | Kate Brown | 2015 - 2023 | ![]() | ||
39 | Tina Kotek | 2023 - present | ![]() |
Issues
John Kitzhaber 2015 ethics investigation
- See also: John Kitzhaber recall, Oregon (2015)
1995-2003, 2011-2015 |
Secretary of State Kate Brown (D) |
February 11 story February 13 story Impeachment amendment Recall effort Cylvia Hayes Kate Brown Ellen Rosenblum Governor of Oregon Governor Vacancy process |
Kitzhaber announced his resignation from office on February 13, 2015, effective February 18. The following sections detail the story surrounding Kitzhaber's resignation.
Ethics concerns before 2014 election
On October 13, 2014, Kitzhaber requested an investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission into whether his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, used her access to the governor's office to improve her consulting business. A story in the Willamette Week indicated that Hayes advised Kitzhaber about economic and energy issues while also providing consulting services in the same policy areas. On February 5, 2015, Kitzhaber announced that Hayes would no longer serve as a policy advisor following conflict of interest allegations.[17] Oregon's government ethics regulations are designed to prevent conflicts of interest among public officials. Hayes did not receive payments from the state when advising Kitzhaber, but the governor's general counsel, Liani Reeves, noted that she was considered a public official due to her dual role as advisor and first lady.[18]
Kitzhaber's aides said that all contracts and policy documents were reviewed prior to approval to comply with state ethics laws. Hayes stated that accusations about conflicts of interest were inaccurate and that she worked as an advisor and outside consultant to ensure "a clean economy and more sustainable future for Oregon."[18] Dennis Richardson (R), Kitzhaber's opponent in the 2014 election, called his administration "inept and unethical."[18][19]
Financial disclosures
Three ethics complaints were filed against Kitzhaber following his October 13 request, including an October 15 complaint by the Oregon Republican Party, an October 16 complaint by state Rep. Vicki Berger (R) and an October 30 complaint by 2014 Democratic primary foe Ifeanyichukwu Diru.[20][21] The seven-member ethics commission held no meetings prior to the November 4 general election. A hearing in March 2015 would have determined if the commission proceeded with a formal investigation of these complaints, though Kitzhaber's resignation cast doubt about the commission's role in future investigations.
Disclosures made to the commission in January 2015 revealed $213,000 in earnings as a consultant from 2011 to 2014, including $118,000 in unreported payments from the Clean Economy Development Center. These totals were at odds with statements made by the governor and his staff as well as federal income tax documents from that period.[22] The editorial board of The Oregonian made national news by calling for Kitzhaber's resignation on February 4, given the paper's endorsement of the governor during his previous election bids.[23]
Emails about Genuine Progress Indicator
On February 6, 2015, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services released emails between Hayes, Kitzhaber and department director Michael Jordan regarding a new economic policy called the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI). These emails, sent between April 2013 and April 2014, revealed Hayes' close involvement in implementing the policy. Hayes was under contract with Demos, a New York-based think tank, from June to November 2013. Hayes sent an email to Jordan requesting a meeting on May 13, 2013, to discuss challenges for the GPI, only three days after signing a contract with Demos. An email from October 30, 2013, requested $125,000 to launch the GPI and listed Hayes and Demos among the "Oregon GPI Team."[24]
Emails from the same period showed Kitzhaber's efforts to hire Sean McGuire, an advisor under contract with Demos. McGuire had previously worked with Demos to install the GPI, a measurement of economic progress that takes into account well-being and productivity, in Maryland. On December 30, 2013, Kitzhaber lobbied Jordan to hire McGuire, indicating that he was the "best person to do this work...and we need to find a way to bring him on." McGuire was hired in spring 2014 for a one-year contract totaling $65,000, though Jordan downplayed suggestions that Kitzhaber pressured him into the decision.[24]
Investigation by Attorney General
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum (D) announced on February 9 that she was initiating a criminal investigation of Kitzhaber and Hayes.[25] She announced the investigation on the same day as Kitzhaber publicly requested a criminal investigation of his administration. The attorney general's office has the ability to request records, issue subpoenas to witnesses and charge the governor and his advisors with illegal activity. Rosenblum delayed an investigation because she was concerned about her office's role as attorney for the executive branch, though former state officials argued that she was responsible for investigating corruption within the branch. Republican legislators including Ted Ferrioli supported the investigation, but argued that a special prosecutor should be appointed to eliminate concerns about Rosenblum's objectivity in dealing with a fellow Democratic official.[26]
On February 20, defense attorney Janet Hoffman sent a request to halt review of Kitzhaber's emails by the attorney general until she had an opportunity to evaluate the documents. Hoffman argued that the former governor's personal emails were co-mingled with official emails without his permission. She also argued that DAS did not "legitimately possess" personal emails, invalidating the documents from becoming evidence in state or federal investigations. Hoffman also requested an independent investigation into leaks of Kitzhaber's emails to Willamette Weekly and The Oregonian.[27]
The state ethics commission suspended its investigation on February 11.[28]
Speculation about resignation
On February 11, local and national media speculated that Kitzhaber could resign from office. The governor canceled a Valentine's Day appearance with Tigard-based Friends of Trees on that day. The head of Friends of Trees, Scott Fogarty, noted that the plans were tentative and saw no connection with ongoing ethics concerns.[29] Jim McDermott, an attorney representing Kitzhaber, told reporters on the 11th that the governor had no intention of resigning.[30] Kitzhaber confirmed McDermott's statement later in the day in an interview with The Statesman Journal.[31]
Secretary of State Kate Brown (D) also stoked speculation by ending a trip to Washington, D.C., two days early to return home on the 11th.
Kitzhaber denies intent to resign
Late in the day on February 11, Kitzhaber issued an official statement denying that he had any intention of resigning: "Let me be as clear as I was last week, that I have no intention of resigning as Governor of the state of Oregon."[32]
Sources report Kitzhaber change-of-heart
On February 12, multiple outlets reported that Kitzhaber told aides on the 8th that he would resign, requested Brown's return to Salem and met with legislative leaders on the 10th before reconsidering resignation on the 11th.[33][34]
Kate Brown's February 12 statement
Brown issued a statement in the mid-afternoon on February 12 saying that her return to Oregon on February 11 was requested by Kitzhaber but that when she returned and met with him, he asked her why she had returned to the state. She described this back-and-forth as "bizarre."[35]
The following is Brown's full statement:
" |
Late Tuesday afternoon, I received a call from the Governor while I was in Washington, DC at a Secretaries of State conference. He asked me to come back to Oregon as soon as possible to speak with him in person and alone. I got on a plane yesterday morning and arrived at 3:40 in the afternoon. I was escorted directly into a meeting with the Governor. It was a brief meeting. He asked me why I came back early from Washington, DC, which I found strange. I asked him what he wanted to talk about. The Governor told me he was not resigning, after which, he began a discussion about transition. This is clearly a bizarre and unprecedented situation. I informed the Governor that I am ready, and my staff will be ready, should he resign. Right now I am focused on doing my job for the people of Oregon. [35][36] |
” |
Legislative leaders, treasurer call for resignation
On the same afternoon as Brown's statement, Senate President Pete Courtney (D), House Speaker Tina Kotek (D) and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler (D) called on Kitzhaber to resign from office.[37][38] The trio announced their support for Kitzhaber's resignation following an emergency caucus of state Democrats. Wheeler made the following statement to The Oregonian:
" |
It is with deep sadness that I ask Governor John Kitzhaber to resign his position as Governor of Oregon. He has accomplished many great things during his long career, and history will be kinder to him than current events suggest. Unfortunately, the current situation has become untenable, and I cannot imagine any scenario by which things improve. Oregon deserves a Governor who is fully focused on the duties of state. I hope the Governor will do the right thing for Oregon and its citizens. [36] |
” |
—The Oregonian, (2015) |
Attempted deletion of personal emails
A records request by Willamette Week and 101.9 FM KINK in Oregon found that the governor's office ordered the deletion of emails from Kitzhaber's personal account on February 5. The order, sent by executive assistant Jan Murdock, asked for all messages in Kitzhaber's personal email to be removed from servers. Several supervisors at the Department of Administrative Service's Technology Support Center refused to comply with the order. Any personal emails used to discuss government business would be considered public records according to the state's open records laws.[40]
Attorney general order for Hayes emails
On February 12, Rosenblum ordered Hayes to deliver personal emails related to state business to The Oregonian following a public records request by the newspaper on December 29, 2014. Attorney Whitney Boise, speaking on behalf of Hayes, argued to Rosenblum that his client's emails were private because she was not a public official. This claim was rejected by Rosenblum's office, which issued the order based on the fact that Hayes worked "extensively on government matters." Hayes had to comply with the attorney general's order or seek an injunction by February 19.[41]
February 13 resignation
Kitzhaber announced his resignation from the governor's office on the morning of Friday, February 13. His resignation became effective on Wednesday, February 18. In a statement to the media, Kitzhaber stated:
" |
I am announcing today that I will resign as Governor of the State of Oregon. It is not in my nature to walk away from a job I have undertaken – it is to stand and fight for the cause. For that reason I apologize to all those people who gave of their faith, time, energy and resources to elect me to a fourth term last year and who have supported me over the past three decades. I promise you that I will continue to pursue our shared goals and our common cause in another venue. I must also say that it is deeply troubling to me to realize that we have come to a place in the history of this great state of ours where a person can be charged, tried, convicted and sentenced by the media with no due process and no independent verification of the allegations involved. But even more troubling – and on a very personal level as someone who has given 35 years of public service to Oregon – is that so many of my former allies in common cause have been willing to simply accept this judgment at its face value. It is something that is hard for me to comprehend – something we might expect in Washington, D.C. but surely not in Oregon. I do not know what it means for our shared future but I do know that it is seriously undermining civic engagement in this state and the quality of the public discourse that once made Oregon stand out from the pack. Nonetheless, I understand that I have become a liability to the very institutions and policies to which I have dedicated my career and, indeed, my entire adult life. As a former presiding officer I fully understand the reasons for which I have been asked to resign. I wish Speaker Kotek and President Courtney and their colleagues on both sides of the aisle success in this legislative session and beyond. And I hope that they are truly committed to carrying forward the spirit of bipartisanship and collaboration that has marked the last four years in Oregon. [36] |
” |
—Oregon Public Broadcasting, (2015) |
Federal subpoena
On February 12, federal prosecutors issued a subpoena to the Department of Administrative Services for emails and records from Kitzhaber, Hayes and other members of the outgoing administration. The subpoena also sought records of payments to Hayes and her firm, 3E Strategies. All subpoenaed documents were presented to a federal grand jury scheduled to convene on March 10.[43]
Federal prosecutors end investigation with no criminal charges
On June 16, 2017, federal prosecutors ended the investigation into Kitzhaber and Hayes without pressing criminal charges. The investigation involved the U.S. Attorney's Office for Oregon, the FBI, and criminal divisions of the Justice Department and the IRS.[44]
On June 20, 2017, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission restarted its investigation, which had been suspended in February 2015.[45]
Ethics commission finds violation of state ethics laws
In November 2017, the ethics commission released a preliminary report outlining four counts of state ethics violations. The commission and Kitzhaber negotiated an agreement to fine Kitzhaber $1,000 for three violations. Commissioners rejected the agreement 7 to 1.[46]
On January 5, 2018, the ethics commission unanimously voted that Hayes violated state ethics laws 22 times.[47]
Second ethics commission report and vote
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission released a second report on February 14, 2018, expanding Kitzhaber's violations of state ethics laws from four to 11: seven counts of conflicts of interest, three counts of misuse of office for financial gain, and one count of improper gift receipt.[48][46]
On February 16, the ethics commission voted unanimously that Kitzhaber committed 10 of the 11 ethics violations detailed in the report. The commission dropped one alleged violation—allowing a staff member to care for Hayes’ pets.[49]
Before the commission's vote, Kitzhaber acknowledged responsibility for 10 out of 11 alleged violations but disputed that he had used his public office for personal gain.[49]
Ethics violations can result in up to $5,000 in fines per violation if there is no appeal or settlement. An appeal would go to the state Office of Administrative Hearings. If the results were still disputed, an appeal would go to the Oregon Court of Appeals and then to the Oregon Supreme Court.[50]
On March 28, 2018, Kitzhaber agreed to pay a $20,000 fine in a negotiated settlement.[51]
Resignations from office
There have been five governors in the state's history who resigned prior to the conclusion of their terms. The most recent case of John Kitzhaber, who resigned due to an ethics and criminal investigation concerning conflicts of interest related to his fiancee and advisor Cylvia Hayes, was the first gubernatorial resignation in Oregon since 1952. The following table details these governors and their reasons for leaving office:[16]
Gubernatorial resignations in Oregon history | ||||||
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Governor | Party | End of last term | Resignation year | Reason | ||
Lafayette Grover | ![]() |
1879 | 1877 | Appointment to U.S. Senate | ||
George Earle Chamberlain | ![]() |
1911 | 1909 | Appointment to U.S. Senate | ||
Frank Benson | ![]() |
1911 | 1910 | Illness | ||
James Douglas McKay | ![]() |
1953 | 1952 | Federal appointment | ||
John Kitzhaber | ![]() |
2019 | 2015 | Ethics and criminal investigation |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
During every year from 1992-2013 there were Democratic governors in office for Oregon. Oregon is one of seven states that were run by a Democratic governor for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Oregon was under a Democratic trifecta for the final year of the study.
Across the country, there were 493 years of Democratic governors (44.82%) and 586 years of Republican governors (53.27%) from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Oregon, the Oregon State Senate and the Oregon House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
SQLI and partisanship
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Oregon state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Oregon had Democratic trifectas from 2007-2010 and again in 2013. The state's lowest SQLI ranking, finishing 39th, occurred in 2005. Its highest ranking, finishing 18th, occurred in 2011. Both occurred when the government was divided.
State profile
Demographic data for Oregon | ||
---|---|---|
Oregon | U.S. | |
Total population: | 4,024,634 | 316,515,021 |
Land area (sq mi): | 95,988 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White: | 85.1% | 73.6% |
Black/African American: | 1.8% | 12.6% |
Asian: | 4% | 5.1% |
Native American: | 1.2% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander: | 0.4% | 0.2% |
Two or more: | 4.1% | 3% |
Hispanic/Latino: | 12.3% | 17.1% |
Bildung | ||
High school graduation rate: | 89.8% | 86.7% |
College graduation rate: | 30.8% | 29.8% |
Income | ||
Median household income: | $51,243 | $53,889 |
Persons below poverty level: | 18.4% | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Oregon. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Oregon
Oregon voted for the Democratic candidate in all six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, two are located in Oregon, accounting for 0.97 percent of the total pivot counties.[52]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Oregon had two Retained Pivot Counties, 1.10 of all Retained Pivot Counties.
More Oregon coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Oregon
- United States congressional delegations from Oregon
- Public policy in Oregon
- Endorsers in Oregon
- Oregon fact checks
- More...
Contact information
Office of the Governor
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street, Suite 254
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
Phone: 503-378-4582
See also
Oregon | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Oregon State Legislature, "Oregon Constitution 2014 Edition," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes," accessed May 25, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ Oregon Legislature, "2023-25 Budget Highlights Update," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries," June 25, 2013
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 National Governors Association, "Former Oregon Governors," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Governing, "Oregon Governor Says His Fiancee Will Have No Policy Role, But It Might Be Too Late," February 5, 2015
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Willamette Week, "First Lady Inc.," October 8, 2014
- ↑ KGW, "Kitzhaber requests ethics review of Cylvia Hayes," October 15, 2014
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Republican Vicki Berger filed first ethics complaint naming John Kitzhaber, Cylvia Hayes," October 16, 2014
- ↑ GoLocalPDX, "Democrat Joins with Richardson, Demands Kitzhaber Release Records," October 30, 2014
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Cylvia Hayes discloses another $118,000 for consulting fees," January 28, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "John Kitzhaber must resign: Editorial," February 5, 2015
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 The Oregonian, "John Kitzhaber controversy: Cylvia Hayes directed state officials on policy she was being paid to promote, emails show," February 6, 2015
- ↑ New York Times, "Oregon Bedfellows Make for Strange Politics," February 11, 2015
- ↑ Governing, "Oregon AG Launches Criminal Investigation of Gov. Kitzhaber and His Fiancee," February 10, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Kitzhaber's defense lawyer wants to block ex-governor's emails from feds," February 20, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "John Kitzhaber controversy: Ethics Commission review on hold as criminal investigation of governor, Cylvia Hayes underway," February 11, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "John Kitzhaber cancels plans to attend weekend event in Tigard," February 11, 2015
- ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Lawyer: Gov. John Kitzhaber Isn't Resigning," February 11, 2015
- ↑ The Statesman Journal, "Gov. Kitzhaber says he is not resigning," February 11, 2015
- ↑ ABC News, "Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber Says He's Not Resigning," February 11, 2015
- ↑ Governing, "Oregon Governor Planned to Resign Then Changed His Mind, Sources Say," February 12, 2015
- ↑ Herald and News, "Kitzhaber reconsiders resignation," February 12, 2015
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Politico, "Oregon secretary of state describes ‘bizarre’ John Kitzhaber meeting," February 12, 2015
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ ABC News, "Top Democrats Call on Kitzhaber to Resign Governorship," February 12, 2015
- ↑ The Statesman Journal, "Courtney, Wheeler calling for Kitzhaber to resign," February 12, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Treasurer Ted Wheeler calls for John Kitzhaber to resign," February 12, 2015
- ↑ Willamette Week, "Gov. John Kitzhaber's Office Sought To Destroy Thousands of His Emails," February 12, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Oregon attorney general orders Cylvia Hayes to disclose emails to The Oregonian/OregonLive," February 12, 2015
- ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "NEWS RELEASE: Governor Kitzhaber Announces Resignation," February 13, 2015
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Federal authorities subpoena Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber records," February 13, 2015
- ↑ The United States Attorney's Office, District of Oregon, "Statement Regarding Closure of Investigation of Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and First Lady Cylvia Hayes," June 16, 2017
- ↑ Willamette Week, "Oregon Government Ethics Commission Will Resume Probe of Complaints Against Kitzhaber and Hayes," June 20, 2017
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Willamette Week, "Oregon Government Ethics Commission Investigation Says Kitzhaber Used Public Office to Benefit Himself," February 14, 2018
- ↑ Portland Tribune, "Hayes faces $100,000-plus in fines for ethics violations," January 5, 2018
- ↑ Oregon Government Ethics Commission, "Investigation report," February 8, 2018 (Pages 63-216)
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Willamette Week, "Former Gov. John Kitzhaber Pleads for His Legacy in Front of Oregon Government Ethics Commission," February 16, 2018
- ↑ Statesman Journal, "Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber could be fined $50,000 for 10 ethics violations," February 16, 2018
- ↑ Statesman Journal, "Former Gov. John Kitzhaber agrees to pay $20,000 fine for ethics violations," March 28, 2018
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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