Guest Post: In praise of Betsy Johnson

Polarization. Gridlock. Super-majorities. Walkouts. 

Are political parties so disliked and distrusted that Oregon voters would elect a governor on a platform of not being either Democrat or Republican?

We will find out in November.

Betsy Johnson

Oregon has an unusual contest for Governor. The Democratic candidate is a Portland liberal, Tina Kotek. Her campaign emphasizes a progressive agenda and says she is so tough she can get it implemented. The Republican, Christine Drazen, led the effort stop Democrats. She received statewide attention by leading a walkout by Republicans to obstruct Democrats. The walkout denied the Democratic majorities a quorum. There is also a well-funded, well-known third candidate.

Independent candidate Betsy Johnson was an Oregon Democratic legislator representing a rural district. She was a nominal Democrat, She positioned herself against the current Democratic governor's efforts to minimize the spread of COVID. She plays approximately the role Joe Manchin plays in the U.S. Senate, blocking legislation on climate and the environment. That frustrates Democrats and pleases Republicans. However, she is pro-choice on abortion and she happily agrees that Joe Biden won the election fairly--positions that put her at odds with many Republicans. She has endorsements from former Democratic governor Ted Kulongoski, former Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, former Democratic U.S. Representative Darleen Hooley, and last cycle's Republican candidate for governor, Knute Buehler. 

Her "to do" list of problems to address tell us little about her policy and issue platform.  Everyone wants to "improve public schools" and to "hold government accountable." She has been traditionally pro-gun but in the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting she says she has moderated her position.

So far, however, her brand isn't about issues and policy positions. It is about being a strong-willed independent. She isn't on anyone's team and so far that is the centerpiece of her marketing.  Vote for Betsy if you are tired of teams. 

I asked John Watt to tell me what he liked about Betsy Johnson. Watt is the owner of JWA Public Affairs, a government relations firm in Medford. He is a lifelong Oregonian and former Republican legislator. Now an unaffiliated voter, he has endorsed Betsy Johnson for Governor. John is active in the community having served on several boards and community organizations.

Guest Post by John Watt

Oregonians, as well as many Americans, are sick and tired of the partisan bickering going on these days. We see it every day. Actions taken by the President, Congress, the Supreme Court, or the Oregon legislature, are generating heavily biased news stories and comments on social media that are unbelievable. Oregon needs a leader that will bring people together. When are we going to elect a leader who will govern with the best interests in Oregon in mind? Is it possible? Under normal circumstances, in a gubernatorial election, I would say, “probably not.” This year’s election is different.There are three qualified women running. Tina Kotek, a Democratic former Speaker of the House,
Christine Drazan a Republican former leader of House Republicans and Betsy Johnson, a now-unaffiliated candidate who has over 25 years as an elected Democratic, business friendly legislator.

Tom McCall was Oregon’s governor from 1967 to 1975. He was a Republican but governed as an independent. McCall was the leading figure in passing the Oregon Beach Bill, declaring Oregon shores are public land in 1967. Looking back on the impact that has made to Oregon makes me proud to be an Oregonian. McCall's eight years as a maverick Governor were notable for many achievements in the environmental sphere, including the country's first "bottle bill," the cleanup of the Willamette River, and the first statewide land-use planning system, which introduced the urban growth boundaries around the state's cities. These achievements have done much to create McCall's enormous legacy in the state. Tom, as he was best known, also invited out-of-state folks (mostly Californians) to visit Oregon but encouraged them not to move here. Was everyone happy with McCall’s policies? Of course not. My point is that McCall did what he thought was in the best interests of the state, and he was able to generate support for those ideas from both sides of the aisle.

I think Betsy Johnson will be that kind of a maverick governor. She tells us that the two political parties are no longer the solutions to our problems, in fact they’re making our problems worse. I can’t help but agree with that position. The last several years have proven that to be true. She admits to being “an equal opportunity pisser-offer.” She will oppose legislation she thinks isn’t good for Oregon as a whole, but she will support the kinds of policies that will make a difference in these uncertain times. She stands up to special interests when she thinks they are off base. I know that for a fact because I have watched her work in the legislature for most of those 25 years. I have represented business interests in the halls of the Capitol in Salem since 1999. Sometimes, we agreed, sometimes we didn’t. But she was always willing to hear both sides of the issue. Oregon voters have an opportunity to make a difference this November. Each candidate will bring a change to Oregon. What kind of change? It is up to you.

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