Betsy Johnson ? Tina Kotek ? Ethics Problems

Photo credit: Craig Mitchelldyer, AP

The longtime Democrats Betsy Johnson and Tina Kotek are no strangers to ethics problems and  according to today’s report from the Oregonian, they even have a history of conspiring together.

The reporting revealed that then-legislators leveraged their seniority to bully their colleagues into voting against a bill that would prevent development in the Metolius river basin, a piece of land that Johnson has financial ties to. And they did so at the expense of business owners interested in developing the area after they were promised a compromise.

While Kotek tried to deny involvement, Johnson’s ties are more concrete. As reported by Willamette Week, the crossover between Johnson’s role as an influential politician and her financial investments goes back nearly two decades ago when the then-Democrat Senator sponsored and advocated for a series of bills that would directly protect the value of Johnson’s properties.

“When Tina and Betsy say they’re for Oregonians, apparently they only mean themselves,” said RGA Kaitlin Price. “Kneecapping small business owners and entrepreneurs for one’s own benefit is nothing new for these leaders; one having tried to make taxpayers pay the cost of her mistakes. Oregonians will finally say enough is enough and reject these career politicians this November.”