Former House Republican Leader Christine Drazan has raised more than $1 million in her race for governor. She says, “I’m running for governor because I believe our state is ready for change and fresh leadership. That’s what you’ll always get from me.”

Her website states, “Determined to ensure that Oregon families would not be left behind the way hers was, Drazan made a decision to do all she could to serve others. For her, this meant working in the state legislature, where so many decisions that impact Oregonians are made. After elected as representative, she was quickly picked as minority leader for being a strategist.”

In the 2019 session Senate Republicans walked out twice, once to block severe gun-control bills and a greatly expanded vaccine mandate, and a the third successful walkout by Senate Republicans to block cap-and-trade in 2020 under the leadership of former Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger. Drazan had a tough road when SB 554, the lock-up gun bill, came under her watch in the 2021 session. The two minority caucuses couldn't stomach a walk out over SB 554, made worse when they accepted $2 million for each House District and $4 million for each Senate District, after having agreed to a $500 a day fine if they walked out.

At the Lane County Governor’s Forum, Drazan claimed ownership of the 2019 walkout upsetting the cap-and-trade bill, but Oregon Firearms Federation remembers her differently as minority leader.

Oregon Firearms Federation Director Kevin Starrett says, “Drazan’s running as a “fighter" and a “tough" law and order candidate is comical in view of her record. She agreed to give up one of the only tools the Republican's had, quorum denial. She also agreed to speed up passage of Democrat bills in exchange for a deal with Tina Kotek (D-Portland) who yanked the rug out from under her. Drazan got nothing, and Oregonians got nothing.”

Starrett points to her record, “But even worse is her voting record. Not only did she allow the Democrats to steamroll her, she voted for many of their worst bills.” These are a representation of how she voted:

• She voted to remove the crime of interfering with a police officer. This was the bill they passed after Tina Kotek’s staffer was arrested for that crime at a riot. She was never prosecuted. (HB 3164)
• She voted to protect antifa and outlaw the release of mug shots. (HB 3273)
• She led her caucus to vote to endanger riot cops by helping antifa identify them (HB 3355), but voted against an amended Senate version.
• She voted for the BIPOC anti-cop bill that assumes cops are all racist. (HB 2936)
• She voted to forbid cops from using pepper spray and non lethal ammunitions. (HB 2928)
• Drazan claims on her website to preserve Oregon’s history, but voted to ban the State Song because it included the words “free men.” (HCR 11) She also voted to ban Columbus Day. (HB 2526)
• She voted ten times for the Antifa/BLM backed laws that restrict or punish enforcement officers.

Drazan ranked 42% on Track Their Vote, which ranks bills based on small government, local control, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and personal responsibility.

Drazan may be influenced by taking over $100,000 from big pharma since being elected. This year she took campaign donations from the same PACs that are funding Gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-03-09 21:27:08

Last Update: 2022-03-10 16:58:02