Betsy Johnson Explained

Betsy Johnson
State Senate:Oregon
District:16th
Term Start:January 20, 2005
Term End:December 16, 2021
Predecessor:Joan Dukes
Successor:Rachel Armitage
Office1:Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
Constituency1:31st district
Term Start1:January 2003
Term End1:January 20, 2005
Predecessor1:Jackie Winters
Successor1:Brad Witt
Constituency2:1st district
Term Start2:January 8, 2001
Term End2:January 2003
Predecessor2:Jackie Taylor
Successor2:Wayne Krieger
Birth Name:Elizabeth Katharine Johnson
Birth Date:12 January 1951
Birth Place:Bend, Oregon, U.S.
Party:Independent (since 2021)
Otherparty:Democratic (before 2021)
Relatives:Sam Johnson (father)
Spouse:John Helm
Education:Carleton College (BA)
Lewis and Clark College (JD)

Elizabeth Katharine "Betsy" Johnson (born January 12, 1951[1]) is an American aviator, entrepreneur, and politician who served in the Oregon House of Representatives from the 1st and 31st House districts from 2001 to 2005, and in the Oregon Senate from the 16th district from 2005 to 2021, as a member of the Democratic Party. Prior to her tenure in the state legislature she served on the Port of St. Helens board and worked in the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Johnson was born in Bend, Oregon, as the daughter of Sam Johnson, who served in the state house. She was raised in Redmond, Oregon, and educated at Oregon Episcopal School, Carleton College, and Lewis and Clark College. She operated a helicopter business and participated in international helicopter competitions. She was active in local politics in Columbia County, Oregon, where she served on the boards of multiple groups and she was elected to the Port of St. Helens board in a 1993 special election. She was the manager of aeronautics in the Oregon Department of Transportation from 1993 to 1998.

She was elected to the state house in the 2000 election and reelected in the 2002 and 2004 elections. Johnson was appointed to replace Joan Dukes in the state senate in 2005, and was reelected in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 elections. She was a moderate and conservative member of the Democratic caucus and held a controlling swing vote. She resigned from the state senate in 2021, to run in the 2022 gubernatorial election as an independent candidate, losing to Tina Kotek.

Early life and education

Elizabeth Katharine Johnson was born on January 12, 1951, in Bend, Oregon,[2] to Elizabeth Hill Johnson and Sam Johnson, who served in the Oregon House of Representatives for fourteen years. She was raised in Redmond, Oregon, and graduated from Oregon Episcopal School in 1969.[3] [4] [5] [6] She campaigned for her father during her youth.[7] She graduated from Carleton College with a bachelor's degree in history in 1974, and from Lewis and Clark College with a Juris Doctor in 1977.[8]

Johnson married John Helm. She represented the United States at a helicopter competition in Vitebsk, Soviet Union, in 1978. Johnson created Trans-Western Helicopters in 1978, and it merged into Hillsboro Helicopters in 1993. She served as president of the Columbia County Economic Development Council, and was on the boards of the Columbia County Health District, St. Helens Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Columbia County.[9] [10] [11] She was appointed to the board of the Oregon Tourism Alliance in 1989.[12] She replaced Betty Roberts as the chair of the Tom McCall lectureship committee at Oregon State University in 1992.[13] She was the director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Portland Branch for six years.[14]

Career

Local politics

Tony Federici, a member of the Port of St. Helens board from the fourth position resigned in January 1993, in order to take office in the state house from the 1st district. Johnson defeated four other candidates in the 1993 special election and won without opposition in the 1997 election.[15] [16] She replaced Eric Dahlgren as chair of the board in 1999.[17] She was appointed as the Manager of Aeronautics in the Oregon Department of Transportation in 1993, and served until her resignation on September 7, 1998.

Oregon House of Representatives

Jackie Taylor, a member of the state house from the 1st district, was term-limited during the 2000 election. Johnson faced no opposition in the Democratic primary and won the Republican primary as a write-in candidate and defeated Constitution nominee Bob Ekstrom, the chair of the party, and Libertarian nominee Don McDaniel.[18] [19] [20] She won the Democratic and Republican nominations and was elected from the 31st district in the 2002 election against Constitution nominee Ekstrom and independent candidate Mervin Arnold.[21] [22] She won the Democratic and Republican nominations and defeated Constitution nominee Ron Ross in the 2004 election.[23] [24]

In the state house Johnson used the same desk that her father had used during his tenure.[25] During her tenure in the state house she served on the Ways and Means committee.[26] Johnson was appointed to a shared seat on the Oregon Emergency Board with Representative Dan Doyle in 2001.[27] Following the September 11 attacks the House Special Task Force on State Emergency Preparedness was formed with Johnson being one of its members.[28] She worked as Ron Wyden's campaign chair during the 2004 United States Senate election.[29]

Oregon Senate

Joan Dukes, a member of the Oregon Senate, was appointed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council by Governor Ted Kulongoski in 2004. Johnson announced on November 24, 2004, that she was interested in replacing Dukes in the state senate.[30] Johnson, Bill Blank, and Emil Nyberg were nominated by the Columbia County Democratic Committee as possible options to replace Dukes.[31] [32] County commissioners from Columbia, Clatsop, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties voted unanimously on January 19, 2005, to appoint Johnson and she was sworn in on January 20.[33] [34] Brad Witt was selected to replace her in the state house.[35]

She defeated Republican nominee Don Fell and Constitution nominee Robert J. Simmering in the 2006 election.[36] [37] She defeated Republican nominee Bob Horning in the 2010 election.[38] [39] Howard Dean, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee, called for Johnson to be replaced after she voted with the Republicans against voter registration legislation in 2013.[40] [41] She defeated independent candidate Andrew Kaza, Constitution nominee Ekstrom, and Libertarian nominee Perry Roll in the 2014 election.[42] [43] She won the Democratic, Republican, and Independent nominations, with write-in votes in the Republican and Independent primaries, and defeated Constitution nominee Ray Biggs in the 2018 election.[44] [45]

During her tenure in the state senate she served on the Rules committee and co-chaired the Ways and Means committee.[46] [47] An ethics investigation was launched against her on June 22, 2007, as she did not report profits of $119,000 from selling property connected to legislation she sponsored and she later paid a $600 fine.[48] [49] [50] She was later investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[51] Due to the Democrats' narrow control of the state senate she had a controlling swing vote and blocked legislation.[52] [53]

She endorsed Dennis Richardson, the Republican nominee for Oregon Secretary of State, in the 2016 election.[54] She and Witt were removed from the executive committee of the Democratic Party of Oregon due to their support of Richardson.[55] Lee Beyer, Johnson, and Arnie Roblan called for United States Senators Wyden and Jeff Merkley to support President Donald Trump's appointment of Ryan Bounds to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.[56]

Johnson hit a driver with her car in 2013, resulting in Betsy Johnson spending six months in a wheelchair and not fully recovering until 2019. She was sued by the driver in 2015, but Johnson's lawyers argued the lawsuit was frivolous, and a violation of the Oregon Constitution due to her being in transit to her complete her duties as an elected official. The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.[57]

Gubernatorial campaign

Johnson was considered as a possible gubernatorial or secretary of state candidate in the 2000s.[58] [59] She announced on October 14, 2021, in an email that she was going to run as an independent in the 2022 gubernatorial election stating "[H]aving to choose between another left-wing liberal promising more of the same or a right-wing Trump apologist – is no choice at all".[60] [61] The Democratic caucus subsequently removed her from all of her committee assignments.[62] She announced on December 14, that she was going to resign from the state senate to focus on her gubernatorial campaign and it took effect on December 16.[63] [64] Emmet Duffy is her campaign manager.[65]

TEDxPortland was criticized for, and subsequently apologized for, inviting Betsy Johnson to a May 2022 conference in violation of the Internal Revenue Service's regulations for 501(c)3 nonprofits, which require that if any political candidates are invited to speak at an event, all other candidates are given an equal opportunity.[66] [67] She received endorsements that included former Governor Kulongoski and former United States Senator Gordon H. Smith.[68] As of early June, her campaign has raised $5,611,714.37, with $1 million coming from Phil Knight, and spent $3,292,831.82.[69] [70] Knight increased his stake in the race in late August, contributing another $750,000 to Johnson's campaign.[71] In July, OPB reported that "shirts bearing the Confederate flag...dott[ed] the crowd" at a June rally in St. Helens,[72] a flag which Johnson later condemned as "a symbol of treason against the United States".[73] She stated to OPB in September that as governor she would lift the moratorium on capital punishment and enforce the death penalty.[74]

Johnson's campaign spent $897,000 to collect 48,214 signatures, with 23,744 being required to appear on the ballot, and 37,679 were validated by the secretary of state.[75] [76] [77]

In the general election, Johnson conceded to Tina Kotek after garnering less than 10% of the total vote.[78]

Political positions

Johnson was considered as a moderate and conservative member of the state legislature.[79] [80] [81] She received a lifetime rating of 34.34% from the American Conservative Union.[82] The American Civil Liberties Union gave her a score of 43% in 2005, 50% in 2007, 0% in 2008, 60% in 2009, 20% in 2013, 83% in 2015, and 50% in 2017.[83]

Jobs and economics

Johnson supported the construction of a $230 million ethanol plant in Clatskanie, Oregon.[84] She voted in committee in favor of legislation to ban smoking in restaurants, but stated that she did so only to send it to a vote in the state house.[85] In 2002, Johnson voted in favor of the unsuccessful effort to overturn legislation to borrow $50 million for education against revenue made from a cigarette tax.[86]

Johnson voted against parental leave legislation in 2007.[87] In 2009, she voted against legislation supported by the AFL–CIO that prohibited workers from being required to attend company meetings about politics.[88] She voted against increasing the minimum wage gradually from 2016 to 2022, to between $12.50 and $14.75 per hour.[89] Johnson received a D rating from the Service Employees International Union in 2018.[90] She received a score of 50% from the National Federation of Independent Business in 2020.[91]

Crime and gun control

Johnson opposed four pieces of gun control legislation in 2013, stating "I would do something meaningful rather than symbolic" and wanted more mental health access instead.[92] She voted against background checks for private gun sales and red flag legislation.[93] [94] She is a member of the National Rifle Association and received an "A" rating and endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund during the 2014 and 2018 elections.[95] [96]

She voted against legislation in 2019 to redefine aggravated murder and limit its scope, the only crime in Oregon which is eligible for the death penalty.[97] She also is in favor of lifting the state moratorium on the death penalty.[98]

Homelessness and housing

Johnson opposes a housing first approach to homelessness, and would enforce laws against illegal camping in Oregon. She blames recent drug legalization, such as through 2020 Oregon Ballot Measure 110, for driving the crisis and would attempt to repeal it, while also focusing on deregulating housing development.[99] [100]

Healthcare and individual rights

Johnson supports abortion rights.[101] She stated that "Planned Parenthood now is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democrat Party" after failing to gain its endorsement during the 2022 gubernatorial election.[102] She opposes allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' sporting events.[103]

Voter rights and election integrity

Johnson has not shown support for adopting political campaign contribution limits in Oregon, and said she would oppose limits she felt "result in an uneven playing field for anyone participating in elections".[104] She voted against legislation to make voter registration automatic for people with driver's licenses.[105]

Environment and climate change

She received a lifetime score of 64% from the League of Conservation Voters,[106] and has a record of voting against legislation to combat climate change,[107] such as Oregon House Bill 2020.[108]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Betsy Johnson's Biography . VoteSmart . 2022-10-15 . 2022-10-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015182352/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/46663/betsy-johnson . live .
  2. News: Betsy Johnson's Biography . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018090139/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/46663/betsy-johnson . October 18, 2022.
  3. News: February 1, 2000 . Betsy Johnson announces run for legislature . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195709/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102556143/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  4. News: January 7, 2007 . Elizabeth Hill Johnson (Becky) . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526180005/https://www.mailtribune.com/obituaries/2007/01/07/elizabeth-hill-johnson-becky/ . May 26, 2022.
  5. News: Meet Betsy . Betsy Johnson . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527095925/https://www.runbetsyrun.com/meet_betsy . May 27, 2022 . May 27, 2022.
  6. News: February 5, 2022 . The free-flying Betsy Johnson: Steve Duin column . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220418205715/https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2022/02/the-free-flying-betsy-johnson-steve-duin-column.html . April 18, 2022 . May 27, 2022.
  7. News: March 11, 2000 . Johnson makes uncontested bid for Oregon State House . 4 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195709/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102556738/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  8. News: January 5, 1993 . Two file for ports seats . 29 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195709/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102552557/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  9. News: December 26, 1992 . Two file for ports seats . 11 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195709/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102552360/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  10. News: May 30, 1993 . Portland's charter helicopter firms merge . 10 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102553466/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  11. News: August 26, 1998 . Betsy Johnson resigns as Oregon Aeronautics director . 1 . Columbia County Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102554838/columbia-county-review/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  12. News: January 27, 1989 . Oregon tourism group names board members . 15 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102552713/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  13. News: April 17, 1992 . McCall committee names new chair . 3 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527194828/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102655452/corvallis-gazette-times/ . May 27, 2022 . . May 27, 2022.
  14. News: November 5, 2000 . A new generation of players are influencing the Portland scene . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220531013517/https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2000/11/06/focus1.html . May 31, 2022.
  15. News: March 30, 1993 . Johnson elected to St. Helens port commission . 36 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102553138/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  16. News: March 12, 1997 . Dan Sprague ousted from Columbia 5J school board . 9 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195713/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102554094/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  17. News: July 21, 1999 . Port board reorganizes; Dahlgren out . 1 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102555796/columbia-county-review/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  18. News: 2000 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526022234/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6937382 . May 26, 2022.
  19. News: 2000 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526022628/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6920724 . May 26, 2022.
  20. News: September 1, 2000 . New party plans to challenge Betsy Johnson . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102556879/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  21. News: 2002 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195712/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/8411080 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  22. News: 2002 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195843/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/8411079 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  23. News: 2004 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195813/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/8411086 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  24. News: 2004 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195813/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/8411085 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  25. News: January 9, 2001 . New party plans to challenge Betsy Johnson . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195812/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102561612/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  26. News: January 7, 2021 . 2021 House Committee Assignments . 4 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527201045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102656992/statesman-journal/ . May 27, 2022 . . May 27, 2022.
  27. News: July 11, 2001 . Interim group fills the void . 42 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195813/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102562277/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  28. News: November 14, 2001 . Kropf appointed to task force . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102562490/the-lebanon-express/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  29. News: July 15, 2003 . Wyden has $3.2 million war chest . 19 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102563687/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  30. News: November 27, 2004 . Kulongoski names Dukes to power group . 9 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102564277/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  31. News: January 14, 2005 . Area pols eager to step into Dukes' shoes . 9 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102566488/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  32. News: January 18, 2005 . Oregon Democrats narrow search for State Sen. Dukes' replacement . 7 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102566487/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  33. News: January 20, 2005 . Scappoose's Johnson the unanimous choice to fill Dukes' seat . 9 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102566520/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  34. News: January 21, 2005 . Governor swears in new senator . 3 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102566543/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  35. News: January 31, 2005 . Lobbyist appointed to House seat . 15 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195816/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102584698/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  36. News: 2006 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526235913/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/8411088 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  37. News: 2006 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526235913/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/8411087 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  38. News: 2010 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526235913/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873663 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  39. News: 2010 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526235914/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873642 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  40. News: July 9, 2013 . Howard Dean Calls For a Challenge To Sen. Betsy Johnson . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210314193724/https://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-30413-howard-dean-calls-for-a-challenge-to-sen-betsy-johnson.html . March 14, 2021 . May 27, 2022.
  41. News: July 10, 2013 . Sen. Betsy Johnson raises ire of fellow Democrats for casting swing votes against several of their bills . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211015200724/https://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/2013/07/sen_betsy_johnson_raises_ire_o.html . October 15, 2021 . May 27, 2022.
  42. News: 2014 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526235914/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873756 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  43. News: 2014 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526235916/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873735 . May 26, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  44. News: 2018 Oregon primary results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518055149/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873849 . May 27, 2022 . May 18, 2022.
  45. News: 2018 Oregon election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521033820/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873825 . May 21, 2022 . May 26, 2022.
  46. News: January 7, 2007 . Oregon State Legislature Preview . 6 . . live . https://archive.today/20200619202859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53758077/statesman-journal/ . June 19, 2020 . . May 26, 2022.
  47. News: February 13, 2020 . ODF says it will soon run out of money . A1 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195816/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102593050/albany-democrat-herald/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  48. News: June 23, 2007 . Board authorizes probe of Betsy Johnson's land deal . 10 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195816/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102587219/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  49. News: September 12, 2007 . Ethics panel to discuss 4 lawmakers . 21 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102587401/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  50. News: September 12, 2007 . Johnson to pay $600 in ethics case . 7 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195837/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102587451/albany-democrat-herald/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  51. News: January 9, 2008 . FBI investigating Betsy Johnson . 5 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195838/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102588193/albany-democrat-herald/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  52. News: October 26, 2014 . Close race may hold key to state Legislature . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195838/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102590214/corvallis-gazette-times/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  53. News: November 5, 2014 . Democrats pick up seats in Capitol . A12 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195838/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102590199/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  54. News: September 30, 2016 . Two Longtime Democratic Lawmakers Endorse Dennis Richardson, GOP Candidate for Secretary of State . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507191440/https://www.wweek.com/news/2016/09/30/two-longtime-democratic-lawmakers-endorse-dennis-richardson-gop-candidate-for-secretary-of-state/ . May 7, 2021 . May 27, 2022.
  55. News: June 19, 2018 . 2 Oregon Democrats Kicked Off Party Committee After Endorsing Republican . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527162936/https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-democratic-party-betsy-johnson-brad-witt-dennis-richardson/ . May 27, 2022.
  56. News: September 22, 2017 . Three Democratic State Senators Urge Wyden and Merkley to Drop Opposition to Judicial Nominee . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509164437/https://www.wweek.com/news/2017/09/22/three-democratic-state-senators-urge-wyden-and-merkley-to-drop-opposition-to-judicial-nominee/ . May 9, 2021 . May 27, 2022.
  57. News: Monahan . Rachel . July 6, 2022 . Betsy Johnson Crashed Into Another Motorist. Then She Tried to Claim Legislative Immunity. . . July 13, 2022 . July 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712192224/https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/07/06/betsy-johnson-crashed-into-another-motorist-then-she-tried-to-claim-legislative-immunity/ . live .
  58. News: December 4, 2006 . Education looms big in '07 session . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102585848/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  59. News: May 29, 2007 . Heavens To Betsy . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527105931/https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-7083-heavens-to-betsy.html . May 27, 2022 . May 27, 2022.
  60. News: October 16, 2021 . Sen. Johnson to run for Oregon governor in independent campaign . A2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102593368/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  61. News: October 14, 2021 . Oregon Sen. Betsy Johnson to run for governor as independent . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527071746/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/betsy-johnson-governor-run/283-8869c27d-ba03-4817-9026-f01245ab9804 . May 27, 2022.
  62. News: November 26, 2021 . Swirl of musical chairs in Oregon . A6 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102593598/albany-democrat-herald/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  63. News: December 15, 2021 . Sen. Betsy Johnson to resign to focus on Oregon governor run . A3 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102593760/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  64. News: January 12, 2022 . Kotek seat to be filled by appointment . A3 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102594021/albany-democrat-herald/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  65. News: February 1, 2022 . Betsy Johnson Candidacy Divides Republicans . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018090308/https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/02/01/betsy-johnson-candidacy-divides-republicans/ . October 18, 2022 . October 18, 2022 .
  66. News: May 28, 2022 . Oregon governor candidate Betsy Johnson pressed on gun control by TEDxPortland crowd . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529220433/https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/28/betsy-johnson-tedxportland-appearance-gun-control-comments/ . May 29, 2022.
  67. News: May 28, 2022 . TEDxPortland organizers anger ticketholders, appear to break federal rules by giving NRA-backed politician Betsy Johnson a solo platform . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529215941/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/05/tedxportland-organizers-anger-ticketholders-break-federal-rules-by-giving-nra-backed-politician-betsy-johnson-a-surprise-platform.html . May 29, 2022.
  68. News: May 19, 2022 . Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Onetime U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith Endorse Betsy Johnson for Governor . . live . May 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220525200735/https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/05/19/former-gov-ted-kulongoski-and-former-us-sen-gordon-smith-both-endorse-betsy-johnson-for-governor/ . May 25, 2022.
  69. News: Betsy Johnson Account Summary for 2022 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527070709/https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/publicAccountSummary.do?filerId=3591&OWASP_CSRFTOKEN=V3IK-65ON-L657-63PN-XW6B-EJP9-XV3J-CX94 . May 27, 2022.
  70. News: April 4, 2022 . Nike co-founder Phil Knight gives $1 million to Betsy Johnson’s campaign for Oregon governor . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527071552/https://www.opb.org/article/2022/04/04/nike-founder-phil-knight-oregon-governor-candidate-betsy-johnson/ . May 27, 2022.
  71. News: Dickinson . Tim . Tim Dickinson . August 22, 2022 . Oregon’s Next Governor Could Be a Machine-Gun Toting Darling of GOP Megadonors . . August 23, 2022 . August 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220822235421/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/betsy-johnson-extremist-oregon-governor-race-1234579086/ . live .
  72. News: VanderHart . Dirk . July 28, 2022 . In a push to make the November ballot, Betsy Johnson sizes up her audience . OPB . August 14, 2022 . August 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220813070254/https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/28/oregon-governor-race-betsy-johnson-november-politics/ . live .
  73. News: Borrud . Hillary . August 5, 2022 . Oregon candidates for governor: How would they respond if supporters displayed Confederate flags at events? . . August 14, 2022 . August 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220815025930/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/08/oregon-candidates-for-governor-how-would-they-respond-if-supporters-displayed-confederate-flags-at-events.html?outputType=amp . live .
  74. News: Wilson . Conrad . September 22, 2022 . Oregon governor candidates weigh in on death penalty . . September 22, 2022 . September 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922132348/https://www.opb.org/article/2022/09/22/oregon-governor-candidates-on-death-penalty/ . live .
  75. News: August 16, 2022 . Your Voice, Your Vote: Johnson delivers signatures to get her name on November ballots . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018084418/https://www.kdrv.com/news/your-voice-your-vote-johnson-delivers-signatures-to-get-her-name-on-november-ballots/article_daf948de-1d9d-11ed-948b-132e5002e556.html . October 18, 2022.
  76. News: September 13, 2022 . Candidate spent $900k on signatures to get on Oregon ballot . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018084559/https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-oregon-government-and-politics-36c6f345059b908ed2964d977abd275e . October 18, 2022.
  77. News: October 4, 2022 . The Oregon Secretary of State Is Investigating Signature Sheets Betsy Johnson’s Campaign Submitted . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018085319/https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/10/04/the-oregon-secretary-of-state-is-investigating-signature-sheets-betsy-johnsons-campaign-submitted/ . October 18, 2022.
  78. Web site: 2022-11-10 . Tackling homelessness top goal for Oregon Democrat Kotek . 2022-11-11 . AP NEWS . en . 2022-11-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111011627/https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-united-states-portland-oregon-government-and-politics-f44da06cdc42ce0f4686615083ed339a . live .
  79. News: January 8, 2007 . Will there be an end to gridlock? Dems say yes . 5 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195842/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102586446/the-world/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  80. News: July 21, 2014 . Left sees way past Oregon deadlock . 6 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195842/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102589992/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . . May 26, 2022.
  81. News: October 14, 2021 . Sen. Betsy Johnson Is Running for Oregon Governor as an Unaffiliated Candidate . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521185340/https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2021/10/14/sen-betsy-johnson-is-running-for-oregon-governor-as-an-independent/ . May 21, 2022 . May 27, 2022.
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    News: 2007 Oregon ACLU Legislative scorecard . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527111809/https://www.aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/new_scorecard.pdf . May 27, 2022. ;
    News: 2007-2008 Oregon ACLU Legislative scorecard . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527112044/https://www.aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/Leg_scorecard_0708.pdf . May 27, 2022. ;
    News: 2009-2010 Oregon ACLU Legislative scorecard . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527112159/https://www.aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/ACLU_OR_2009_2010_Leg_Scorecard.pdf . May 27, 2022. ;
    News: 2013 Oregon ACLU Legislative scorecard . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231454/https://aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/ACLU_OR_2013_Leg_Scorecard.pdf . April 13, 2022 . May 27, 2022. ;
    News: 2015 Oregon ACLU Legislative scorecard . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231435/https://aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/ACLU_Scorecard_Fall2015_web.pdf . April 13, 2022 . May 27, 2022. ;
    News: 2017 Oregon ACLU Legislative scorecard . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231448/https://aclu-or.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/aclu_scorecard_fall2017.pdf . April 13, 2022 . May 27, 2022.
  84. News: December 2, 2001 . Will ethanol plant be built? . 9 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195843/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102562601/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  85. News: April 17, 2001 . House OKs bill to override ban on bar smoking . 2 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195903/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102562122/longview-daily-news/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  86. News: August 21, 2002 . How they voted . 8 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195903/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102562873/the-world/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  87. News: June 28, 2007 . Paid family leave effort stumbles in Senate . 12 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102587098/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  88. News: June 9, 2009 . Oregon Senate OKs union-backed bill . 1 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102589045/albany-democrat-herald/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  89. News: February 12, 2016 . Senate OKs increase in minimum wage . A6 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102591249/the-spokesman-review/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  90. News: SEIU 2018 Legislative Scorecard . . live . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731152613/http://seiu503.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018SEIULegislativeScorecard.pdf . July 31, 2021.
  91. News: NFBI 2019-2020 Voting Record . . live . May 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220313005746/http://scorecard.olcv.org/2021/senate/johnson/ . March 13, 2022.
  92. News: April 19, 2013 . Gun-control bills head to Senate . A1 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195906/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102589635/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  93. News: January 25, 2015 . Oregon focus of effort to expand background checks for guns . A7 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195906/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102590502/corvallis-gazette-times/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  94. News: May 26, 2022 . Oregon candidates for governor weigh in on gun control . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527192922/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/oregon-candidates-governor-gun-control/283-7c5b74af-a715-49cb-b9d4-89ead86b1e4e . May 27, 2022.
  95. News: May 31, 2022 . Oregon’s independent gubernatorial hopeful Betsy Johnson is among the state’s most elite firearms enthusiasts: machine gun owners . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601183704/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/06/oregons-independent-gubernatorial-hopeful-betsy-johnson-is-among-the-states-most-elite-firearms-enthusiasts-machine-gun-owners.html . June 1, 2022.
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  97. News: Crombie . Noelle . May 21, 2019 . Oregon Senate approves bill to limit death penalty; now heads to House . . September 22, 2022 . September 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220923030231/https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/05/oregon-senate-approves-bill-to-limit-death-penalty-now-heads-to-house.html . live .
  98. Web site: Oregon governor candidates weigh in on death penalty . 2022-10-21 . opb . en . 2022-10-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022235734/https://www.opb.org/article/2022/09/22/oregon-governor-candidates-on-death-penalty/ . live .
  99. Web site: Unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson answers OPB’s questions on the homelessness crisis . 2022-10-23 . opb . en . 2022-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023161619/https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/16/unaffiliated-candidate-betsy-johnson-answers-opb-questions-on-homelessness-crisis/ . live .
  100. Web site: October 4, 2022 . Unaffiliated candidate for governor Betsy Johnson on Oregon's housing crisis . 2022-10-23 . kgw.com . en-US . 2022-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023161618/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/johnson-unaffiliated-candidate-discusses-housing-homeless-crisis/283-c44e086e-186d-4ae7-b242-8dc2f503f976 . live .
  101. News: April 23, 2022 . With Republicans Eyeing the Governor’s Office, We Asked About Reproductive Rights . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521184825/https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/04/23/with-republicans-eyeing-the-governors-office-we-asked-about-reproductive-rights/ . May 21, 2022 . May 27, 2022.
  102. News: September 28, 2022 . Betsy Johnson, Planned Parenthood quarrel over endorsement issue following debate . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018085625/https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/betsy-johnson-planned-parenthood-debate-reaction/ . October 18, 2022.
  103. News: April 7, 2022 . We Asked Candidates: Should Transgender Athletes Be Barred From Girls Sports? . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521184710/https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2022/04/07/should-transgender-athletes-be-barred-from-girls-sports/ . May 21, 2022.
  104. News: Borrud . Hillary . October 11, 2022 . Democratic Oregon governor candidate Tina Kotek highlights support for contribution limits . . October 11, 2022 . October 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221011131312/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/10/democratic-oregon-governor-candidate-tina-kotek-highlights-support-for-contribution-limits.html . live .
  105. News: March 6, 2015 . Senate passes bill making voter registration automatic . A8 . . live . May 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526195906/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102590921/statesman-journal/ . May 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  106. News: Betsy Johnson LCV Scorecard . . live . May 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220313005746/http://scorecard.olcv.org/2021/senate/johnson/ . March 13, 2022.
  107. Web site: Oregonian/OregonLive . Ted Sickinger The . 2022-10-08 . To protect constituents, the timber industry, Betsy Johnson repeatedly voted against ambitious climate change policy . 2022-10-21 . oregonlive . en . 2022-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221021042631/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/10/to-protect-constituents-the-timber-industry-betsy-johnson-repeatedly-voted-against-ambitious-climate-change-policy.html . live .
  108. News: June 26, 2019 . These are the Democrats who didn’t support Oregon’s climate bill. Who gave them money? . . live . August 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210808042319/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2019/06/these-are-the-democrats-who-didnt-support-oregons-climate-bill-who-gave-them-money.html . August 8, 2021.