ELECTION DAY - November 3, 2026

The Kotek Record: Look Beyond the Headlines.

Take a hard look at Gov. Tina Kotek’s record and asks a simple question: are Oregon’s biggest problems actually getting better? From housing and homelessness to education, public safety, wildfire response, and jobs, the numbers tell a very different story.

Kotek on microphone

Take a hard look at Gov. Tina Kotek’s record and asks a simple question: are Oregon’s biggest problems actually getting better? From housing and homelessness to education, public safety, wildfire response, and jobs, the numbers tell a very different story.

TIMELINE

Year 1

Homelessness State of Emergency Failed to Deliver

Homelessness has grown by 35% statewide since Kotek declared her state of emergency, with 27,000 people living on the streets.

Oregon’s Fentanyl Crisis Continues Under Kotek

Oregon under Kotek ranks near the bottom in the nation for actual substance use disorder treatment and detox bed capacity.

$650 Million Later, Housing Costs Keep Rising

Housing costs have increased every single year since Kotek became governor.

Homelessness Funds Failed to Turn the Crisis Around

The funds haven’t made a difference and the problem has only grown, homelessness has increased by 35% statewide since Kotek declared her state of emergency, with 27,000 people living on the streets.

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Year 2

More School Funding, No Improvement in Student Outcomes

Even after increases in funding, Oregon student academic performance remains stagnant under Kotek, 42.5% of students are proficient in English language arts, 31% in math, and 29.3% in science.

Kotek’s Fentanyl Emergency Failed to Move the Needle

Kotek’s state of emergency was panned as a failure at its conclusion, failing to move the needle with Portland’s homelessness and addiction crisis.

Oregon’s Chronic Absenteeism Crisis Continues

Chronic absenteeism remains among the highest in the U.S. in Kotek’s Oregon, with a rate of 33%.

Another Housing Office, But Oregon Still Isn’t Building Enough

Forecasts show Oregon will fall woefully short of Kotek’s housing foal, at least 10,000 short annually of her production goals until 2030.

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Year 3

Housing Plans Are Falling Thousands of Homes Short

Forecasts show Oregon will fall woefully short of Kotek’s housing goal, at least 10,000 short annually of her production goals until 2030.

Kotek’s Climate Agenda Comes With a $4.9 Billion Price Tag

Kotek’s climate policies are projected to cost Oregonians $4.9 billion in taxes over the next 11 years.

Gun Control Hasn’t Made Oregon’s Cities Safer

Kotek’s gun control policies have done nothing to make Oregon safer, Portland’s homicide rate remains more than double that of San Francisco and New York City.

More School Spending, Stagnant Student Outcomes

Outcomes aren’t better, Oregon students’ academic performance remains stagnant under Kotek: 42.5% of students are proficient in English language arts, 31% in math, and 29.3% in science. This comes after Kotek voted to suspend graduation requirements.

Another Housing Bureau Won’t Fix Oregon’s Housing Shortfall

Forecasts show Oregon will fall woefully short of Kotek’s housing goal, at least 10,000 short annually of her production goals until 2030.

Oregon’s Shelter Strategy Has Failed to Stop Homelessness

Homelessness has risen by 35% since Kotek took office, with 27,000 currently without a home.

Oregon’s Wildfire Response Was Left in Crisis

Kotek mismanaged ODF into a financial crisis with $218 million needed in emergency funds. Her disastrous wildfire map also made the state’s response much less effective.

Portland’s Housing Construction Has Hit a Record Low

Portland’s homebuilding under Kotek has declined to its lowest recorded levels since 2010.

Talk of Supporting Businesses, But a $1 Billion Tax Instead

Kotek led the charge to pass the $1 billion corporate activity tax, which imposed staggering burdens on Oregon businesses.

Millions Spent on Job Creation While Oregon Lost Jobs

Kotek spearheaded a $1 billion tax hike on businesses and job growth is trending in the wrong direction. Oregon lost more than 18,000 jobs than it gained in 2025

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Gov. Kotek Clapping

Affordability

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Drazan's Record

  • Stopped Tina Kotek’s $15 billion gas tax hike as House Republican Leader and joined volunteers in gathering over 250,000 signatures to get Kotek’s $4.3 billion gas tax hike on the ballot. (HB 2025, HB 3991, BM 120)
  • Successfully stop Kotek’s costly cap and trade which would raise the price of energy, gas, groceries and everyday essentials. (SB 1530)
  • Voted against Kotek’s $2 billion Corporate Activity Tax and led the fight to repeal it. (HB 3427, HB 2033)
  • Voted against Kotek’s food packaging and paper products bill which created first-in-the nation regulations that drive up that cost of groceries. (SB 582)
  • Sponsored Legislation to ban tolling and require voter approval of new tolling. (HB 3466, HB 3579)
governor Kotek waiving finger

Kotek's Record

  • Pushed to raise gas and transportation taxes by over $15 billion and later forced a $4.3 billion gas tax voters later rejected. (HB 2025, HB 3991, BM 120)
  • Led the effort to force Kate Brown’s costly cap and trade scheme. (SB 1530)
  • Passed a $2 billion hidden sales tax on Oregon businesses and consumers. (HB 3427)
  • Passed a food packaging and paper products bill which created first-in-the nation regulations that drive up that cost of groceries. (SB 582)
  • Passed and expanded Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program adding $0.22 per gallon at the pump. (HB 2186, SB 324)
  • Passed legislation establishing greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals driving up energy and utility costs for consumers and across industries. (HB 3543)
  • Signed an Executive Order that will drive up utility costs, raise gas prices by $0.20/gallon and increase the cost of building homes by adding layers of red tape Oregonians cannot afford. (EO 25-29)

Economy & Taxes

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Drazan's Record

  • Sponsored legislation to cut taxes for working families by tripling the standard deduction. (HB 3753)
  • Fought against farm overtime mandates that raised labor costs on agricultural products and resulted in farmers having to cut farm workers’ hours. (HB 4002)
  • Sponsored legislation raising the estate tax threshold from $1 million to $7 million and replacing the tax brackets with a 7% flat tax above the new exempt amount. (HB 2301)
  • Sponsored and supported legislation providing relief and lowering property taxes for veterans, veterans with disabilities and seniors over the age of 65. (HB 3392, HJR 201, SB 500, SB 1541, HB 3712, HB 3755)
governor Kotek waiving finger

Kotek's Record

  • Oregon’s CNBC business friendliness ranking went from 18th in 2022 to 42nd in 2026.
  • Signed legislation disconnecting Oregon from key federal tax breaks, denying businesses over $311 million in annual tax relief. (SB 1507)
  • Supported costly and harmful agricultural overtime mandates and opposed subsequent efforts to make the law more workable for family farms. (HB 4002, SB 488, HB 3811)
  • Issued an unconstitutional executive order mandating project labor agreements for state-funded construction projects that would have raised costs on affordable housing projects by 37% and road projects by 10-20%. (EO 24-31)
  • Imposed a new paddle board kayak tax by expanding waterways permit fees. (HB 2982)
  • Under her leadership as governor and Speaker of the House, business taxes have increased by 77% since 2019 and Oregon now ranks as the 5th worst state for jobs. (OBI, KOIN)

Homelessness & Public Safety

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Drazan's Record

  • Opposed Kotek’s tent city law barring local communities from addressing public camping and homelessness on their streets and proposed legislation to repeal it so communities could address public camping. (HB 3115, HB 3774)
  • Opposed Oregon’s disastrous Measure 110 legislation that legalized dangerous drugs and supported repeal efforts. (SB 755)
  • Worked across the aisle to write and pass legislation to enhance unaccompanied homeless youth services and a host-home grant program. (HB 2544)
  • Sponsored legislation to prohibit government funded needles and crack pipes within 2,000 feet of a school or childcare center. (SB 1574, HB 3956)
  • Fought to repeal Tina Kotek’s catch and release law that has created a revolving door of dangerous criminals in our communities. (HB 2293)
  • Sponsored legislation to make Oregon safer by allowing local law enforcement to work with federal law enforcement to target violent criminals and drug traffickers. (HB 3551)
governor Kotek waiving finger

Kotek's Record

  • Sponsored legislation to legalize tent cities and tied the hands of local communities from cleaning up homeless encampments. (HB 3115)
  • Homelessness increased by 35% statewide since Kotek took office, with over 27,000 people experiencing homelessness. In Multnomah County alone, homelessness has increased by 67%. (PSU, KPTV)
  • Supported and passed Measure 110 legislation that legalized dangerous drugs. (SB 755)
  • As governor and Speaker of the House, Kotek has spent billions in taxpayer dollars on failed “housing first” programs and non-profits that enable addiction.
  • Oregon has become one of the most dangerous states in America with the highest number of sex offenders per capita and lowest number of cops per capita. Kotek unsuccessfully pushed legislation to clear the records of sex offenders. (SB 821, SB 820)
  • Promised to eliminate unsheltered homelessness for veterans, households with children, independent young adults, and seniors aged 65 plus by 2025 and failed on every single category. (KATU)

Education

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Drazan's Record

  • Opposed eliminating Oregon’s Essential Learning Skills graduation requirements and sponsored legislation to restore them. (SB 744, SB 1572)
  • Proposed legislation to ensure students can read by the 3rd grade, restore safe classrooms for teachers and students, address absenteeism and restore graduation requirements so students leave K-12 prepared for their futures. (SB 1572)
  • Fought for legislation to get kids back in the classroom during Kate Brown’s COVID lockdowns. (HB 3399)
  • Sponsored and passed legislation increasing funding for and improving summer learning programs focused on improving reading proficiency. (HB 2007)
  • Introduced legislation expanding public school choice and access to high-quality charter schools. (HB 3444)
  • Wrote and passed legislation to notify parents when their child is being bullied in school. (HB 2631)
  • Fought for legislation to defend and protect women’s sports, locker rooms and private spaces. (HB 3740, HB 2037)
governor Kotek waiving finger

Kotek's Record

  • Supported legislation to eliminate Oregon's Essential Learning Skills graduation requirements in reading, writing and math. (SB 744)
  • Blocked legislation to reopen schools and get kids back in the classroom during Kate Brown’s COVID lockdowns. (HB 3399)
  • Student achievement has declined under Kotek’s leadership with Oregon ranking 50th in 4th grade reading, 49th in 8th grade math, and 47th in overall education systems.
  • Oregon has the shortest school year with students receiving one full-year less classroom instruction time than Washington students over the course of their K-12 education.
  • Opted Oregon out of a privately funded federal education tax credit program for K-12 tuition, tutoring and other educational expenses. (OPB)