See which wealthy people, powerful corporate and union interests have poured the most money into Oregon politics this cycle
Three groups or individuals have contributed more than $1 million to Oregon campaigns since 2023.
In General
Phil Knight pours $2 million into Oregon politics – again
His donation, made to the Bring Balance to Salem PAC, brings the committee’s cash on hand to nearly $5.1 million.
Good government groups criticize as insufficient lawmakers’ proposed changes to campaign finance bill
Lawmakers have until March 10 to pass the bill.
Lawmakers push to pass Oregon campaign finance limits in next 2 weeks, amid concerns about loopholes
Powerful lawmakers from both parties expressed a desire Friday to pass a campaign finance bill.
Labor, business leaders reach compromise on proposed Oregon campaign finance limits
The House Rules Committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Friday.
Oregon teachers unions wield huge clout. What does that mean for the PPS teacher strike?
Oregon teachers unions play a powerful role in state politics and shape public education policy.
Oregon labor group launches end run around effort to curb political donations, shed light on dark money
A political nonprofit long led by Oregon's powerful public employee unions wants to set campaign contribution limits in the state — and kill a competing 2024 ballot proposal by campaign finance reformers that would enact tighter limits and stricter ad disclosures.
The legislative session is a wrap, but we’ll see some proposals again: Beat Check podcast
Longtime political and education editor Betsy Hammond joins Therese Bottomly to talk about the recently completed legislative session.
Sen. Ron Wyden’s campaign was looped in on $500K donation from FTX executive to Oregon Democrats, records show
The Washington, D.C.-based fundraiser who secured a $500,000 donation last year for Oregon Democrats from an FTX executive has a long history of working for U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden's campaign.
FTX & Democratic Party of Oregon
Shemia Fagan spent taxpayer or donor money on hotel pet fees, airfare for her kids
This is a note.
Before Oregon elections officials slashed Democratic Party’s fine, state lawyer blasted party’s ‘lackluster’ efforts to find true source of $500K donation
The assistant attorney general representing the Elections Division wrote that a Democratic party official “should not have been — and any other reasonable person would not have been — satisfied when (donor Nishad Singh told the party) that Mr. Singh ‘prefers Prime Trust (though not strongly) so go w[ith] that.’”
Shemia Fagan tapped state, campaign funds for White House trip with her kids
Fagan resigned May 8 amid a controversy over a $10,000 a month side gig she took consulting with a cannabis company.
Marijuana Money in Oregon Politics
Oregon lawmakers may consider boosting elected officials’ pay, passing ethic reforms in wake of Shemia Fagan’s resignation
Oregon lawmakers are mulling whether to boost pay for statewide officeholders and pass ethics reforms following the resignation of former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who stepped down after news that she had taken a $10,000 a month side job with a troubled cannabis company.
Opinion: Portland must safeguard public campaign finance program’s independence
Portland needs to make both short-term and long-term changes to the Small Donor Elections Program to ensure it remains free of political interference, write Amy Sample Ward, Berk Nelson and Cristina Nieves, who serve on the Portland Elections Commission.
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s calendar shows frequent out-of-state travel, suggests short work days
Fagan logged five out-of-state trips in the last six months. When in Oregon, she typically logged out of work by 2:30 p.m., the calendars suggest.
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan cites low pay as factor in cannabis side job scandal
“To put it bluntly, my secretary of state salary on its own is not enough for me to make ends meet.”
Democratic Party of Oregon vows to fight $35,000 fine for late disclosure o
Oregon elections officials on Wednesday fined the Democratic Party of Oregon $35,000 for failing to disclose in a timely manner that a $500,000 donation came from an FTX executive. A lawyer for the party said it would appeal.
State investigation of former FTX executive’s $500,000 donation to Democrat
Oregon elections officials are still deciding whether there is enough evidence to ask Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to pursue a case against former FTX director of engineering Nishad Singh for donating $500,000 to the Democratic Party of Oregon under a false name.