Tina Kotek is the only candidate running for Governor endorsed by pro-choice organizations and gun safety advocates
[Portland, OR] – This week, the United States Supreme Court came down with two major decisions that make the stakes in the Oregon Governor’s race clearer than ever.
In the Race for Oregon Governor, There is Only One Trusted Pro-Choice Champion
After the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was released on Friday, Tina Kotek came out strong, promising to protect abortion access and reproductive freedom. Her strong, pro-choice messages on social media clearly resonated with highly motivated progressives in Oregon.
While Tina has proven herself as a champion for reproductive freedom that voters can count on, the same can’t be said for Tina’s opponents.
Just last week, former Senator Betsy Johnson was “thrilled” to name Bridget Barton, an anti-choice extremist, as the leader of “Republicans for Betsy.” Barton was the far-right candidate in this year’s Republican primary for Governor who ran an ad criticizing her fellow Right to Life-endorsed candidate, Christine Drazan, for not being anti-choice enough: “Oregon’s next governor could decide whether millions more babies live or die.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee Christine Drazan is celebrating the gutting of women’s rights. Drazan has a long history of opposing reproductive rights, supporting a measure to block funding for abortion access and sponsoring extreme legislation to criminalize abortion providers.
One thing is undeniable: Oregon voters show up when choice is on the ballot. In 2018, voters “trounced” a ballot measure that would have restricted public funding for abortion in the state. This year, the Supreme Court has put choice on the ballot again, and Oregon voters will join Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon and Pro-Choice Oregon in supporting Tina.
Supreme Court’s Ruling in Bruen Highlights Critical Need for Courageous Leaders, Not Politicians Beholden to the NRA
On Thursday, our country was once again shaken by a disastrous Supreme Court ruling that has taken the nation backwards on preventing senseless gun violence.
The Trump-dominated court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen is another reminder of the critical need for courageous leadership in states around the country. Both Johnson and Drazan have earned perfect ratings from the NRA for their fierce opposition to common-sense gun violence prevention policies, which is clearly out of step with Oregon voters.
Betsy Johnson and Christine Drazan Remain Silent on Kotek’s Calls for a Forum on Gun Violence Prevention Policy
In the wake of the horrific shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX, and following callous comments made by former Senator Betsy Johnson, Tina Kotek called on her opponents to agree to participate in an issue-specific forum on gun violence prevention policy.
Now, in the wake of the SCOTUS decision in Bruen, a public forum on gun violence prevention is more needed than ever. But still, neither Johnson nor Drazan have responded.
Johnson and Drazan’s silence on gun violence has made it clear that they are out of touch with Oregonians, who are looking for leaders with the courage to stand up to the NRA and fight for safer communities. Drazan and Johnson’s voting records speak for themselves: they would rather cater to the gun lobby than stand up for common-sense policies to prevent gun violence.