Campaign Finance Reform - in Oregon

Two state senators want Oregon U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight’s office to investigate cash donations from cannabis company to state politicians.

Fagan resigned May 8 amid a controversy over a $10,000 a month side gig she took consulting with a cannabis company.

Oregon elections officials found that Democratic Party of Oregon staff hid that a former FTX executive donated $500,000 to the party in 2022.

My enduring image of Shemia Fagan is as state senator, with her fist held high, signaling her alignment with progressives holding a rally on the Oregon Capitol steps.

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.

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 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.

Oregon Democrats promised to reform the state’s campaign finance laws. But their fix tilts the playing field in their favor, says a Democratic lawmaker.

Shemia Fagan leaves office Monday, six days after she announced her resignation following news of a side job with a troubled cannabis dispensary.

“I have been inactive for the past two years but need to become active again,” Fagan wrote from her personal email address on Friday, Feb. 3, at 2:31 p.m.

Shemia Fagan was supposed to be the next Democratic star in Oregon politics, but now she's about to be out of office due to a spectacularly fast-moving scandal in Salem. Reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart talk about Fagan's rise to prominence and sudden resignation as Secretary of State.

Knight made the donation April 4 to the Bring Balance to Salem PAC

“Great feedback!” Secretary of State Shemia Fagan emailed Rosa Cazares. “Thanks Rosa.”

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.

Imagine you are Oregon’s Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. A campaign donor in the pot industry offers you a job moonlighting to help them with business opportunities.

Shemia Fagan didn't make just one mistake in her dealings with La Mota cannabis chain owners Rosa Cazares and Aaron Mitchell, the editorial board writes. Her acknowledged "poor judgment" occurred repeatedly and reflects her prioritizing self interest over Oregon's. She must resign.

Treasurer Tobias Read believes he could be a good fit, and former Senate President Peter Courtney says he'll fill in if asked. Informal conversations with Democratic politicos Tuesday turned up a wide range of names, including a trio of current or former Multnomah County officials: Jessica Vega Pederson, Deborah Kafoury and Susheela Jayapal.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned her post as secretary of state just five days after a story in Willamette Week touched off an avalanche of reporting about her work as a consultant for an embattled cannabis company. It was an unlikely end for a politician who was considered a rising star and a potential future governor or U.S. senator.

Oregon's Constitution gives the governor complete discretion in selecting the appointee.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has resigned effective May 8, a major turn in a moonlighting scandal that broke out just last week.

Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned on Tuesday, a day after she apologized for accepting a moonlighting job for a cannabis company.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned her position after revelations that she was working as a consultant for a cannabis company while her office was auditing the industry.

Fagan notified her staff on Tuesday that she is resigning.

“To put it bluntly, my secretary of state salary on its own is not enough for me to make ends meet.”

The secretary of state ends press conference about her contract well before reporters’ questions are answered.