Tina Kotek — Democratic Candidate for Governor in Oregon, 2026

Governor Tina Kotek, along with 31 Oregon mayors, called for a pause on federal immigration enforcement, reaffirming the state's sanctuary law and stating, "We stand with you. You belong here." She also signed an executive order creating the Interagency Council for Immigrant and Refugee Coordination. This initiative aims to align state agencies in supporting immigrant and refugee communities, ensuring families are protected and can access essential services without fear.

““No one should be afraid to go to work, take their child to school, or ask for help because of who they are or where they come from,” Governor Kotek said. “This executive order builds on the work agencies have been doing and takes the state’s response to the next level in order to protect families, support communities, and live up to Oregon’s values during a deeply uncertain moment.””

Governor Tina Kotek's administration has taken steps to shield Oregonians' credit scores from medical debt and ban hidden junk fees. She launched the West Coast Health Alliance to coordinate public health issues. Kotek signed Senate Bill 951, which enacts strict limits on corporate influence in healthcare to keep providers and the delivery system local. She also supports House Bill 4083 to remove barriers for mental health and addiction professionals, aiming to expand access to care.

““We need to make sure that our health care providers and our delivery system stays local and is controlled locally,” Kotek said to reporters on June 9, 2025, when explaining her decision to sign Senate Bill 951.”

Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 25-26 to prioritize and accelerate the adoption of climate resilient strategies across state programs, aiming to deliver benefits for communities and ecosystems. She articulated that Oregon's natural and working lands can sequester more carbon, and her policies seek to protect priority lands and waters. The Governor also directed landowners to manage their landscapes to withstand and recover from climate change impacts.

““Oregon's forests, grasslands, farms, and wetlands deliver critical benefits statewide and can sequester more carbon,” Governor Kotek said. "We will unlock the incredible promise and power of our natural and working lands by implementing proactive policies that protect priority lands and waters and help landowners manage their landscapes to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.””

Tina Kotek consistently supports abortion rights and advocates for reproductive health care access, stating that abortion is health care and everyone should have access to it. She championed and helped pass Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2017, codifying abortion access into state law. Kotek also supports a $15 million state fund to help patients from Oregon and other states access reproductive health care. She is endorsed by organizations such as Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon and Pro-Choice Oregon.

“I believe in reproductive freedom and am committed to being a fierce advocate for every person’s access to safe reproductive health care services, no matter the national landscape,” Governor Kotek said. “Oregon is not immune from federal attacks on our reproductive rights. In our state, patients will continue to access the medication they need and providers will deliver these critical services without fear or harassment.””

Research pending more substantial sources.

Tina Kotek has prioritized education, advocating for increased accountability and funding. She proposed an $11.4 billion budget for the 2025-27 school years and signed bills aimed at improving student success through performance targets and spending oversight. Her plan allows state education officials to intervene in struggling schools, potentially directing up to 25% of a district’s budget if targets are not met over four years, stating, "I don’t believe in writing a blank check."

““I don’t believe in writing a blank check, and I don’t believe in accepting the status quo when it comes to delivering for our students,” Kotek told reporters.”

Governor Tina Kotek signed the Community Safety Firearms Act (SB 243) into law, banning rapid-fire devices and clarifying concealed carry regulations, stating that gun violence is preventable and people deserve to feel safe. She champions measures like universal background checks and red flag laws. Kotek was endorsed by Giffords PAC for her track record in advancing gun violence prevention policies.

““The Community Safety Firearms Act is now law in Oregon,” stated Governor Kotek. “This matters to every parent dropping their kid off at school. It matters to everyone who deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood. It matters because gun violence is preventable. And we’re proving it.””