Oregon Campaign Finance Tracker
Discover more from Salem-Keizer Proletariat
Oregon Campaign Finance Tracker
Those wheels don't grease themselves, even in the off-season
Most people assume campaign finance activity is relegated to “election season.”
But in January 2023, just months after being elected Governor and years from her next challenge, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek netted more than $430k in cash contributions from more than 100 various sources (business, political committees, individuals, etc.).
Introducing the Oregon Campaign Finance Tracker! It’s a spreadsheet…but still, pretty awesome.
It’s not just Kotek, of course.
Even minority-status state politicians are raking in thousands of donations a month. Oregon Senate Republican leader Tim Knopp reported more than $15k in cash donations in January 2023, all from businesses and political committees - and he has virtually no sway considering Democrats control both legislative chambers & the Governor’s seat.
Overall more than $2.8 million in political contributions were made in January 2023.
And while Kotek and other elected officials commanded a decent chunk of that dough, some of the biggest money transfers don’t involve elected officials at all.
Oregon chemical tycoon (and apparent ongoing environmental disaster) Dennis Beetham gave $300,000 in January to a pair of committees helmed by former school superintendent and failed GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Thielman.
Hell, the Dentists of Oregon PAC raked in more than $100k in January alone.
The point is, even in the “off season” there’s still millions of dollars being spent to influence politicians & policy
The Oregon Campaign Finance Tracker aims to keep monthly tabs on what our elected officials (and the groups what work to sway their favor) are doing when they think we aren’t looking.
Each monthly update will include companion analysis with notable insights, as well as highlighting trends.