Tina Kotek is a proven, progressive fighter and a powerful advocate for gun violence prevention. First elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2007, Kotek went on to serve as the nation’s first out lesbian speaker of any statehouse in the country, as well as Oregon’s longest-serving house speaker in state history. Under Kotek’s leadership, Oregon served as an example for states around the country by implementing universal background checks on gun purchases, enshrining strong safe storage requirements into law, and closing dangerous loopholes that allowed individuals who have committed domestic abuse to access firearms.

This year, Kotek helped lay the groundwork for Oregon to pass a final state budget that included $15 million in funding to prevent gun violence and support violence intervention strategies. Additionally, she spearheaded an effort to secure $4 million to support and expand hospital-based violence intervention and prevention programs, and $1 million to start up new programs outside of the Portland area before her departure from the legislature. This vital funding will also allow Oregon medical providers to seek Medicaid reimbursement for these programs, providing long-term, stable funding for crucial community violence intervention methods.

As our nation continues to see spiking rates of gun violence from coast to coast, the need to elect governors who can achieve real results has become more important than ever. Kotek is exactly the candidate that Oregonians need in this moment, bringing a record of key gun safety wins and strategic leadership with her to the governor’s mansion. Tina Kotek will lead with empathy and compassion, and she will always put the safety of her state’s residents first. We’re proud to support her in this fight, and we know that the work she will do as governor will save countless lives from gun violence.

We are proud to endorse Tina Kotek for governor.