“Shameless, ruthless demagogue” invited to speak at Salem GOP gun gathering

Failed Arizona governor candidate brings book tour to Oregon

A group of Oregon Republicans pushing a change to the state constitution allowing for carrying concealed firearms without a permit has invited a failed gubernatorial candidate from Arizona to Salem as part of a tour for her new book - “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.”

Top part of the flier promoting Lake’s book tour stop in Salem, Oregon.

Kari Lake, known for her unwillingness to accept election results she disagrees with, is being received at an undisclosed location in Salem by a group called “Constitutional Carry for Oregon” - led, in part, by Marion County GOP chairman and Christian nationalist Joel Pawloski.

The Salem event is scheduled for Saturday, July 29, 2023, with an expected 6 p.m. start time. The venue for Lake’s Salem stop on her book tour is being kept secret, with ticket holders being told the venue location the day before the event.

Against a history of lies and grift, Lake’s book tour comes with strong ties to Trump

Lake ran in 2022 for governor in Arizona, losing to Democrat Katie Hobbs in a tight race. She rose to fame among Republicans in Arizona by furiously supporting the “Big Lie” - the thoroughly debunked conspiracy theory that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. After losing to Hobbs, Lake insisted that her own election was stolen from her due to interference and fraud - two claims that have never been substantiated.

Lake’s lies were so egregious, she’s being sued by county elections officials in Arizona for defamation AND her own attorney’s were sanctioned and fined for “false factual statements.”

Most recently, Lake has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Trump. Although some folks in Trump’s camp indicate he may be steering away from her because she’s a “spotight hound” that requires too much attention for herself. One anonymous Trump advisor told The Daily Beast: 

“She’s a shameless, ruthless demagogue who wants power and will do whatever she has to do to get it.”

The event will also feature a fundraising reception for Constitutional Carry for Oregon. VIP Tickets are going for $125, which includes a ticket to the event; signed copy of Lake’s book; and optional photo. Organizers are also offering 6 tickets being sold as “Extreme VIP” for $2,500 each - the only main difference between tickets appears to be early access for Extreme VIP and personal meet/greet time with Lake.

Constitutional Carry for Oregon is working on advancing Initiative Petition 21 (or IP-21), titled, “Establishing the right to carry concealed firearms without permit.” The change would allow the right to carry a concealed firearm in Oregon without a permit, which would represent a radical and unprecedented loosening of gun laws in the state.

Joining Pawloski as Chief Petitioner for IP-21 is failed 2022 Republican governor candidate here in Oregon, former Baker City Mayor Kerry McQuisten, and failed Mayoral candidate in 2022 in Clatskanie, Oregon - Jean Sampson.

The group needs to collect around 160k signatures by July 5, 2024, for their petition to be included on the November 2024 ballot.