Portland, Oregon – Betsey Johnson is not running for Miss Congeniality. The longtime Democrat currently running for Governor of Oregon is more likely to swear than political clichés as an independent candidate. High. When voters asked if she would repeal Oregon’s drug decriminalization law, she replied, “Absolutely.” declared.
Johnson’s gubernatorial run turned the race into a three-way showdown between former Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Democrat, and former Oregon House Minority Leader Kristin Drazan, a Republican. rice field. Johnson considers himself the moderate of his two extremes.
“I am not bound by any political agenda or ideology, nor am I running for office to do anything other than restore the places I love,” Johnson told Fox News. , may seem like an unlikely agent making big, bold changes, and that’s exactly who I am.”
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“People are mad”
Born and raised in Oregon, Mr. Johnson ran a helicopter business and competed in international competitions before being elected to the state legislature in the 2000 election. She was appointed to replace the late Joan Dukes in the state Senate five years after her, and she was re-elected four times. But last year, she gave up her seat and ran for governor as an independent candidate.
“As an Oregon native, I’m embarrassed,” she said. “I’m embarrassed about the disruption of our process. I’m embarrassed about policy. I’m embarrassed about what Portland looks like.”
If Portland fails, Oregon cannot succeed, and Portland is failing “by every measure,” Johnson said at a recent roundtable event with residents of Portland’s Lenz neighborhood. The event was held at a small business in southeastern Portland with about a dozen people gathered around a conference table. Many in attendance thought they were now lifelong Democrats disillusioned with liberal policies.
“It’s horrible for my kids to walk to school,” said one man during a discussion. but said he found it “absolutely inconsiderate” to enable addicts.
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Other attendees complained of vandalism, theft and threats from drug users and mentally unstable individuals.
“All I did this morning was talk to people who were pissed off,” she told the group.
Drugs, crime and homelessness are the biggest problems
Homelessness, crime and “outdoor drug dealing” are among the main issues Johnson hears from voters, even outside of the state’s urban areas.
“What used to be a Portland problem is now a ubiquitous problem,” she told Fox News. People are frightened and angry.”
Homelessness in Multnomah County, where Portland is located, increased 30% from 2019 to 2022, according to the report. Latest county numbersPreliminary data from . Oregon Department of HealthOn the other hand, it shows that deaths from opioid overdose will skyrocket in 2021 and 2022.
Johnson said he will seek to end unregulated camping in public places, increase emergency shelters and speak openly about the role of mental illness and drug addiction. He acknowledges that repealing the drug decriminalization measures that have been used for drugs is not as simple as “absolutely yes,” but he has given voters nearly two full years to observe its impact. He said he would ask Congress to refer it. .
“If you want to go back to your basement and shoot, so be it. But we’ve turned this entire state into an open-air drug market,” she said. Don’t be a threat or danger to yourself or others, don’t wield knives, don’t do drugs in front of our children.”
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Nearly 100 current and former law enforcement officers, prosecutors and district attorneys backed johnson and her public safety platform. She vowed to defend Oregon’s mandatory minimum sentence law, increase police funding and show police respect in a state ravaged by historic anti-police protests in 2020. .
During his tenure in the state legislature, Johnson consistently broke down with Democrats to protect gun rights and voted against Oregon with Republicans. red flag law, Secure storage requirements and stricter background checks, all passed by the liberal majority.
“I am concerned about the rights granted to Americans under the Second Amendment.” I don’t think they should be punished for their activities.”
Kotec supporters denounced Johnson’s gun rights stance, calling her “Machine Gun Betsy.” in one ad For owning a Cold War-era submachine gun.
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“Get over it,” said Johnson. “It’s a collector’s piece, all taxes paid, fingerprints rolling, and all the rest locked in a safe for 25 years. Walking open carry in downtown Portland.”
of Swarm of aggressive ads Opposing Johnson suggests that hardline Democrats are aware of the real risk that she could siphon votes from Kotek. Emerson University Survey 36% of likely voters supported Drazan, leading Kotek by 2 points.
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If Drazan wins, she will become the state’s first Republican-elected governor since the early 1980s. Johnson acknowledges that Canby’s conservatives have run a “convincing campaign”, but does not believe Drazan can emerge victorious.
And in a state where “partisan rigidity” has resulted in multiple legislative strikes, Johnson sees himself as “uniquely positioned to preach its gospel” of cooperation.
“I think there will be a lot of lawmakers excited to say, ‘Old Betsy means we’re working together.’ I have.”