The Oregonian: Political donors spent more than $70 million on Oregon governor’s race

The Oregonian: Political donors spent more than $70 million on Oregon governor’s race

“Each election, spending rises exponentially,” said Kate Titus, executive director of Common Cause Oregon, another good government group that supports contribution limits. “It will continue to do so until we demand otherwise. We know what tools help rein in the corrupting influence of money in politics — a combination of limits, transparency, and matching funds to make small dollar campaigns viable. It’s time that Oregon lawmakers act to put this in place.”

Supporters of the top three candidates in the Oregon governor’s race spent more than $70 million trying to help their favorite candidate win, an increase of roughly 89% from the previous governor’s race.

Governor-elect Tina Kotek, a Democrat, far outraised her Republican and unaffiliated rivals: Donors pumped $30.1 million directly into Kotek’s campaign over the last 23 months and the former state House speaker spent nearly all of it. …

Gladstone and other good government advocates tried to get initiatives on the ballot this November that would have allowed voters to decide whether to limit campaign contributions. But Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, a Democrat, ruled in February that the proposals could not be placed on the ballot because they did not include the entire text of the state laws they would amend.

“Each election, spending rises exponentially,” said Kate Titus, executive director of Common Cause Oregon, another good government group that supports contribution limits. “It will continue to do so until we demand otherwise. We know what tools help rein in the corrupting influence of money in politics — a combination of limits, transparency, and matching funds to make small dollar campaigns viable. It’s time that Oregon lawmakers act to put this in place.”