AGP Executive Report

Election 2026: Oregon ballots are arriving, and officials urge voters to return them early amid concerns about mail delays; official drop boxes must receive ballots by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Kotek and Drazan used their final debate in Bend to spar over development, housing, spending and the governor’s record. Data Centers: Kotek’s order halting DEQ air and water permits for new or expanding data centers until July 2027 is drawing scrutiny; Salem project developer Verrus says the pause won’t affect its current stage. U.S. Senate: Jeff Merkley says President Trump’s actions changed his mind about retiring. He is seeking another term against Republican state Sen. David Brock Smith. Economy: Oregon’s unemployment rate held at 5% in September as employers added 5,800 jobs.

Data Center Pause: Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered a halt to environmental permits for new or expanding data centers until 2027, giving Oregon time to weigh the projects’ impacts. Election Watch: Ballots are going out for the Nov. 3 election as Oregon’s elections chief urges voters to return them early amid postal delays. Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan used their final Bend debate to spar over development and other state issues. Youth Safety: The Oregon Youth Authority settled a sex-abuse lawsuit brought by 11 former MacLaren youth inmates; six related cases remain pending. Congressional Race: Rep. Val Hoyle faces Republican Monique DeSpain and Pacific Green candidate Justin Filip in a rematch for Oregon’s 4th District.

Data Center Pause: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered Oregon regulators to stop processing air and water permits for new or expanding data centers through July 1, 2027, giving her time to review policy changes ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Amazon warned the move could jeopardize planned investment and jobs. Voting Underway: Ballots begin going out today, and Secretary of State Tobias Read urged voters to plan ahead. A state mail test found rural delivery can be slow — one ballot took 11 days — so officials recommend mailing ballots by Oct. 27 or using a drop box. More Ballot Access: Lane County is opening four new drop boxes, including Oregon’s first “smart” box, which records when ballot envelopes are returned. Wolf Protections: The Ninth Circuit heard two cases that could reshape federal gray wolf protections in Oregon and other Western states. The federal government argues wolves no longer need protection, while advocates seek broader coverage.

Election Deadline: Oregon’s voter-registration deadline is Tuesday night, Oct. 13, ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Ballots are going out, and Lane County is expanding its drop-box network. Governor’s Race: Republican Christine Drazan is challenging Gov. Tina Kotek in a race drawing renewed attention as Republicans see an opening; recent polling reports offer mixed signals on who leads. Local Contests: Candidate forums and election guides are spotlighting races across the state, including Corvallis, Eugene’s Ward 5 and East Lane County. In the sprawling House District 57, Pacific Green candidate Josiah Dean is challenging longtime Republican Rep. Greg Smith. State Oversight: Oregon’s ethics commission is investigating Rep. Lamar Wise over a failure to disclose income. Attorney General Dan Rayfield is also challenging federal cuts to unemployment-system funding. Health Costs: Two insurers are leaving Oregon’s market, while companies staying are seeking rate increases averaging 22%, adding urgency to the state’s debate over health coverage.

Election Watch: Oregon voters must register by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday for the Nov. 3 election. Ballots start going out Wednesday, with voters choosing a governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and local officials. The governor’s race is tightening as Republican Christine Drazan challenges incumbent Tina Kotek. Government Accountability: The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is investigating state Rep. Lamar Wise over an alleged failure to disclose income. Federal Funding: Attorney General Dan Rayfield is suing the Trump administration over cuts to federal grants for unemployment systems and fraud prevention. Public Safety: Salem police deployed tear gas after protesters blocked ICE vehicles; federal agents said they were surrounded and threatened. Disaster Readiness: State agencies, tribes and local partners are testing Oregon’s long-term recovery plan in a statewide exercise simulating a volcanic eruption.

Election Watch: Oregon’s voter-registration and update deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 13; counties start mailing ballots Oct. 14. Voters will decide the governor’s race, a U.S. Senate seat and every congressional seat. Governor’s Race: New polls put Tina Kotek just 2 to 4 points ahead of Christine Drazan, with the two-point lead within the poll’s margin of error. Republicans see an opening in a state where Democrats have held the governorship for decades. Legislative Contests: Springfield City Councilor Kori Rodley faces Republican Adam Wilson for an open House seat, while Democrat Virginia Stapleton and Republican Tracy Cramer compete for a Marion County Senate seat. Health Care Oversight: Oregon regulators have paused efforts to assess whether insurers are complying with the state’s transgender-care coverage mandate, citing financial uncertainty and federal pressure. Advocates warn the state may lose track of access to care. Washington Showdown: Sen. Ron Wyden joined six Republicans and Democrats urging President Trump to reverse his Russian diesel deal, saying it conflicts with a congressional ban on Russian energy imports.

Governor’s Race: National Republicans see an opening in Oregon as Gov. Tina Kotek seeks reelection against Republican Christine Drazan, with ballots due to go out this week and recent polls suggesting a competitive contest. Salem Immigration Protests: Federal agents used tear gas after protesters blocked ICE vehicles, police said; Oregon members of Congress are also seeking answers about reported ICE detentions and sweeps. Local Ballot Measures: La Grande voters will decide whether to adopt a 5-cent-per-gallon fuel tax and change how council seats are elected. Elgin voters will consider shifting the city administrator role from an elected position to one appointed by the mayor with council approval. Astoria Port: Commissioners approved a 25-year, $1.8 million state loan to help cover cleanup costs from an oil spill that leaked more than 11 tons of waste and 3,249 gallons of oily water.

ICE Oversight: Oregon lawmakers toured Portland’s ICE facility, while members of Congress demanded answers about reported detentions and sweeps. Federal Funding: Attorney General Dan Rayfield sued the U.S. Department of Labor over canceled grants; Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley also introduced a bill to extend Secure Rural Schools funding. Governor’s Race: New polls suggest Tina Kotek may lead Republican Christine Drazan, who reported a $1 million contribution; Kotek is also enlisting friendly influencers to reach voters. Public Spending: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, while the state housing agency continues to exceed its own construction-cost benchmark. Public Universities: SEIU is working to ratify a contract covering Oregon’s public universities.

Salem ICE Operations: Video from two encounters shows demonstrators confronting federal officers, including one incident in which people boxed in ICE vehicles and an individual wielded a bat. Oregon members of Congress are also demanding answers about reported detentions and sweeps. Public-Sector Labor: SEIU members are considering a four-year contract with Oregon’s public universities, including annual 3% cost-of-living raises in the first two years; a vote deadline has not been set. Election 2026: Two new polls suggest Gov. Tina Kotek may lead Republican challenger Christine Drazan, who has reported a $1 million contribution. Candidates are also debating education and health care. Federal Funding: Attorney General Dan Rayfield is suing the U.S. Department of Labor over canceled grants for unemployment-system improvements and fraud prevention. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley separately introduced a bill to extend Secure Rural Schools funding. Local Rules and Land: Bend officials say Oregon law leaves gaps in regulating fast, pedal-free e-motorcycles. The Siletz Tribe is also moving toward reclaiming nearly seven acres of ancestral coastal land near Yachats.

Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan clashed over health care, housing and homelessness in Medford. New polls suggest Kotek may lead, while Drazan reported a $1 million contribution and Kotek enlisted friendly influencers to reach voters. Federal Funding: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield sued the U.S. Department of Labor over canceled grants for unemployment systems and fraud prevention. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are also pushing a bipartisan bill to restore Secure Rural Schools funding, which expired Sept. 30. Election Watch: Oregon ballots are going out, with officials urging voters to use drop boxes amid reports of mail delays. In Senate District 6, three candidates are vying to replace Cedric Hayden, who cannot run again because of his role in the 2023 legislative walkout. Public Spending: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, with one unfinished and the other dormant. Tribal Land Return: The Siletz Tribe is set to reclaim nearly seven acres near Yachats, part of its ancestral territory taken out of the reservation in the 19th century.

Public Records: A Multnomah County judge ordered Portland Councilor Dan Ryan to preserve phone records in an ongoing lawsuit, warning that “games” over the records must stop. Federal Funding: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a multistate suit challenging the cancellation of grants for unemployment-system upgrades and fraud prevention. Governor’s Race: A new poll puts Tina Kotek at 46% and Christine Drazan at 44%; Drazan also reported a $1 million contribution. The candidates have sparred over housing, homelessness, data centers and health care, while Kotek courts social-media influencers. Election Watch: Oregon’s voter-registration deadline is Oct. 13, with ballots beginning to arrive Oct. 14. Counties are preparing by testing vote-tally systems. State Politics: Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama will not seek another term leading his caucus. Oregon lawmakers are also demanding answers about reported ICE sweeps and detainees’ access to attorneys and family.

Election Watch: Oregon officials say ballots for the November election are beginning to go out and urge voters to stay alert amid heightened concerns about election security. Voter registration closes Oct. 13. State Oversight: Oregon has recovered nearly $33 million for consumers since 2023, as the state’s financial regulator took on investigations involving mortgages, banking, insurance and other services. Public Spending: Two state-backed rail facilities costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, with one only partly built and the other functionally dormant. Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan clashed over data centers, housing and homelessness in a Medford debate; universal primary care is also emerging as a central campaign issue. Political Shifts: Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama will not seek another term leading the caucus, while progressive groups and unions have announced a wealth-tax initiative aimed at the 2028 ballot. Local Accountability: Baker City’s $2.15 million lawsuit over its unusable, leaking sewer lagoon is now set for trial in August 2027.

Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan clashed in Medford over data centers, housing and homelessness, as universal primary care emerges as a central campaign issue. Portland Taxes: Changes to the Arts Education Tax mean fewer residents will have to file or pay starting with the 2026 tax year; those who owe will pay $50 for individuals or $100 for couples filing jointly. Legislative Leadership: Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama says he won’t seek another term leading the Democratic caucus, leaving the party to choose a new leader ahead of the next session. Ballot Measures: Progressive groups and unions announced a proposed wealth-tax initiative aimed at Oregon’s 2028 ballot. Consumer Protection: Oregon says it recovered $32.8 million for consumers as federal protections weakened.

Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan’s second debate focused on affordability, schools, homelessness and data centers, with taxes emerging as the sharpest divide. A recent poll shows the candidates in a dead heat. Election Watch: Oregon’s voter-registration deadline is Oct. 13, and competitive legislative races could help decide whether voters are more frustrated with Salem or the Trump administration. Eugene Measure: Voters will decide whether to create a clean-energy fund with fees on some large retailers. Supporters say it would finance climate projects; critics warn costs could reach shoppers. Education Funding: Sen. Ron Wyden is challenging a federal tax-credit interpretation he says could steer public money toward private and religious schools. Firefighter Benefits: Sen. Jeff Merkley and Utah Republican John Curtis propose raising federal death benefits for wildland firefighters’ families from $10,000 to $100,000 and extending coverage to state, local and contract crews. Two wildland firefighters died in Oregon this year.

Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan took their campaign to another televised debate as Oregon’s open-seat race remains tight. Congressional Accountability: Rep. Cliff Bentz declined four debate invitations from challenger Chris Beck, saying a debate would give an “unknown candidate” needed publicity; Beck said voters deserve the chance to hear from both candidates. Health Care Oversight: Oregon approved the transfer of McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center to nonprofit Healthside Partners, with conditions including maintaining current services for five years, investing profits in local communities and keeping a local hospital board. Wildfire Response: Sen. Jeff Merkley and Republican Sen. John Curtis proposed raising the federal death benefit for wildland firefighters’ families from $10,000 to $100,000 and extending it to state, local and contract crews.

Oregon Elections: A new poll puts Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan in a dead heat. A handful of competitive legislative races could also show whether voters are more frustrated with President Trump or Salem, though Democrats are expected to retain their majorities. Federal Scrutiny: Rep. Cliff Bentz is among Republicans investigating Oregon environmental groups over taxpayer-funded legal fees, a practice the groups’ critics say should be reexamined. State Government: Kotek has appointed the head of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to lead it permanently. Disaster Aid: Eligible businesses and nonprofits in 25 Oregon counties affected by summer storms and wildfires can apply for low-interest SBA loans of up to $2 million; the deadline is July 1, 2027.