We Need Campaign Finance Reform in Oregon
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Big money weakens our democratic institutions, undermines confidence in government, and excludes the vast majority of citizens from seeking public office. Strong campaign finance laws are critical to protect the integrity of local elections — our elections.
Oregon is one of only 5 states with no limits on political campaign contributions. Candidates and public officials have become unduly beholden to the special interests that contribute big money. Campaign spending in Oregon has skyrocketed by a factor of 13 (1,300%) since 1996. |
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The State Integrity Investigation of the Center for Public Integrity in November 2015 graded Oregon an overall "F" in systems to avoid government corruption. Oregon ranked 2nd worst of the 50 states in control of "Political Financing," beating only Mississippi.
Conversely, the Koch Brothers-Funded so-called "Institute for Free Speech" in March 2018 ranked Oregon #1 in America for having the "best" system of campaign finance regulation -- no limits on contributions at all. The Koch Brothers and their billionaire friends really like that.
Conversely, the Koch Brothers-Funded so-called "Institute for Free Speech" in March 2018 ranked Oregon #1 in America for having the "best" system of campaign finance regulation -- no limits on contributions at all. The Koch Brothers and their billionaire friends really like that.
The 2022 campaigns for Governor spent over $80 million, again more than doubling the previous record. Phil Knight gave $5.25 million. The Republican Governors Association, funded by large corporations, gave $7.2 million. The Democratic Governors Association, funded by large corporations and some unions, gave $6.7 million. The three major campaigns raised 78% - 81% of their funds from contributions exceeding $10,000 but only 5-8% of their funds from contributions of $1,000 or less. The Corporate Reform Coalition (75 progressive organizations) in 2012 concluded that only 6 states have worse systems for disclosing independent expenditures. They graded Oregon an "F" in disclosure, while Washington earned an "A." Oregon has not improved since then. Now, 11 states require that political ads identify their top funders, including California and Washington. For 93 years, Oregon had a law requiring that political ads at least identify their sources, but that law was repealed in 2001 by a Republican-majority Legislature and a Democratic Governor. |
The OREGONIAN reported that candidates for the Oregon Legislature raise and spend more in their campaigns, per capita, than for any other state legislature, except New Jersey. The average spent in 2022 by the top 10 Oregon Senate candidates rose to over $1.5 million; by the top 10 Oregon House candidates stayed high at over $866,000 each. Many candidates spent over $1 million, over $100 per vote received.
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When Chevron, Inc. attempted to take over the government of the California city of Richmond (population 110,000) by running its hand-picked candidates for the mayorship and city council positions in 2014 (and spending over $3 million to fund their campaigns), all of Chevron's candidates lost--because of the California law that required its ads and brochures and billboards to say: "Major Funder: Chevron, Inc." All their opponents won, despite being outspent by about 50 to one. Voters need this information to judge the credibility of political ads. Oregon voters are in the dark.
Contact: [email protected]
Contact: [email protected]