Tina Kotek in 2022 OR Governor's race
On Abortion:
Worked to ensure full access to reproductive health care
After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block Texas' draconian new limits on abortion, Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) slammed the Lone Star State. "It's appalling that the courts aren't protecting Texans from this extreme law,"
Kotek tweeted. "We've worked hard to ensure full access to reproductive health care in Oregon and won't stop fighting to protect those rights."
Source: Willamette Week on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Sep 15, 2021
On Civil Rights:
Came out in early 20s; been with wife for 17 years
I also came out as a lesbian in my early twenties and it was liberating. While it wasn't always easy, each experience coming out to others strengthened my resilience. For me, coming out became a personal responsibility to undermine hatred and bigotry.
While getting my graduate degree, I fought for and won domestic partnership rights for faculty and students at the University of Washington. Tina and her wife Aimee have been together for 17 years. They live in North Portland with their two dogs.
My experience working at nonprofits on behalf of Oregon's most vulnerable led me to serve in the Oregon Legislature. In my first term, I rewrote the state's poverty program for low-income families. In 2013, I was honored to be elected Speaker of the
House. From expanding economic security for more families, combating climate change, and working hard to get us through an unprecedented pandemic, my time in the legislature has been dedicated to fighting for Oregonians.
Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website TinaForOregon.com
Dec 15, 2021
On Crime:
Police not trained to deal with a mental health crisis
In the short term, she adds, the state is going to find ways to fund crisis-response programs, similar to Eugene's CAHOOTS. "Law enforcement does their job, but they are not trained to go out and have someone in a mental health crisis," she
says. "We don't want them accidentally killing someone because things get out of hand. You need to have a social worker; you need to have a mental health professional on the ground."
Source: Eugene Weekly on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 24, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
State on its way to meet renewable energy goal by 2040
Whoever is elected to the governor's office will have a laundry list of immediate crises, from climate change to homelessness to the pandemic. Kotek says the state is on its way to meeting the renewable energy goal by 2040, but
Oregon will need assistance from the federal government to go further. And the next challenge is to get Oregonians in electric vehicles and build an infrastructure that supports the shift from fossil fuels.
Source: Eugene Weekly on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 24, 2021
On Government Reform:
Supported gerrymandered Congressional map
To ensure Democrats' gerrymandered map moved forward, Kotek assigned two Democrats and only one Republican to the congressional committee.
And despite widespread public testimony from Oregonians opposing the congressional boundaries, House Democrats did not make a single change to the map.
Source: The Oregonian on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
May 30, 2019
On Health Care:
We will move the needle on more recovery services
Q: Behavioral health is a top priority for you. Yet Oregon regularly ranks among the bottom states. A: We now have the marijuana dollars flowing out into communities from Measure 110 [which allocates cannabis tax revenue to addiction treatment
services]. We will move the needle on more recovery services. In terms of how we got here, it was [lack of] resources. Behavioral health services are always kind of the stepchild of the health care system.
Q: Why are Oregon's outcomes for K-12 students so poor?
A: Our numbers are improving. Prior to the pandemic, graduation rates were on the rise. The key is increased accountability and transparency in how the new Student Success Act dollars are being
spent. We were very specific. We want to make sure that the social, emotional well-being of students is better addressed through counselors and nurses and other folks who could be in the schools to help students be successful.
Source: Willamette Week on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Oct 20, 2021
On Principles & Values:
A person of faith, I believe there's equality among us all
Kotek says she believes that Oregon and the U.S. can be a place where there's more fairness and equality. "I'm a person of faith," she says. Kotek grew up Roman Catholic but now attends the Episcopal Church. "I believe that there's equality among us
all. We don't need people who have so much money that everybody else has so little." The role of the government is to ensure that there aren't barriers in the way of allowing people to access opportunities to succeed, Kotek says.
Source: Eugene Weekly on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 24, 2021
On Social Security:
Reduced pension contribution for long-term solution
The retirement plan has two parts: a basic pension and a savings account akin to a 401(k). Lawmakers voted to reduce the amount of money going to the savings account. "While there is no perfect solution, we needed to address the rising rate costs that
threaten public employee jobs and critical services," Kotek said. "Reducing these rates will result in real savings that will give public employees long-term protection for their retirement security and maintain services that Oregonians rely on."
Source: Portland Tribune on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
May 30, 2019
On Welfare & Poverty:
We need both homeless shelters and long-term solutions
Q: Better to build temporary shelters or more affordable housing?A: Here's one of the things that I think voters should know about me. I'm not an either/ or person. I'm a both/and person. We have an immediate urgent crisis. People are unsheltered in
an unhealthy way and we have to serve them. We also need long-term solutions. I've done my part at the state with the largest investment ever for this two-year budget--$765 million statewide to build more housing. But you have to do both.
Source: Portland Monthly on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Oct 15, 2021
On Gun Control:
Endorses Measure 114: mandate permitting & safety training
Talk about guns was keyed partly to a recent shooting incident in Bend and partly to Measure 114, which if the voters pass it in November would mandate permitting and safety training before purchasing a gun. Kotek endorsed it, and noted that both of her
opponents had top ratings from the NRA.The other candidates were opposed. Drazan said that Oregon has enough gun legislation at present, and Johnson argued about release of some violent prison inmates, but appeared to oppose further gun restrictions.
Source: Capital Chronicle on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Sep 29, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Oregon is a state that has allowed me to be myself
In 2013, Tina Kotek made history when she was elected as Oregon's Speaker of the House and became the first out lesbian speaker in any state house in the country.Kotek is also running to succeed Gov. Kate Brown (D), who is bisexual and became the
first out LGBTQ governor in the country when she was elected in 2014. Brown can't seek another term because of term limits.
Running for governor of Oregon, Kotek could become the nation's first out lesbian governor. "It's an honor and frankly a
privilege to be a trailblazer in this regard," Kotek told LGBTQ Nation. "I think for me it comes down to what message it sends to young people--It is still hard out there."
"I've had the good fortune to be in the position to do
things that really improve the lives of Oregonians, and this is a state I love--and it's a state that has allowed me to be myself. It's a beautiful place and I want to give back. It's about making sure we can continue to improve people's lives."
Source: LGBTQ Nation on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 18, 2021
Page last updated: Mar 09, 2024