The Sept. 24 gubernatorial candidate forum and the candidates’ two debates so far have revealed few surprises. Gov. Tina Kotek insists that Oregon is doing well under her leadership. State Sen. Christine Drazan disagrees and cites examples.

One central thesis has emerged from Kotek’s statements: President Donald Trump is to blame for many of Oregon’s problems. She flagged him 10 times in the Oct. 1 debate.

Donald Trump did not double the Oregon state budget (spending) in the past decade. He did not violate multiple voter mandates (e.g., Measures 88 and 97). He did not lower the state’s graduation standards (Assessment of Essential Skills). He did not cause Oregon to end up near the bottom of business-friendly states.

Donald Trump did not greenlight biological males participating in women’s and girls’ sports. He did not champion “gender affirming care” without parental notification for minors. He did not implement a decadelong string of measures that incentivize illegal immigration to Oregon. He did not stand by while Portland was burned, looted and vandalized.

Donald Trump did not mandate a massively expensive Oregon “Climate Protection Program” with unattainable goals and little accountability. He did not provide striking workers with taxpayer-funded unemployment benefits. He did not dramatically expand the Oregon Health Plan to cover noncitizens.

Trump did not try repeatedly to reduce or eliminate Oregon’s “kicker” tax rebate. He did not maintain the most punitive state death tax in the nation. He is not responsible for the heavy-handed tax and regulatory burden that is driving businesses away.

It is and has been Oregon Democrats in the Legislature and Mahonia Hall who are responsible for all the foregoing. Oregon voters seem to be fine with all this.

I’m one who definitely isn’t!

Jerry Ritter
Springfield