Oregonians face a critical decision in this year’s gubernatorial race. The stakes could not be higher. With polls showing Gov. Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan in a dead heat, the recent guest column in Lookout by Joshua Purvis doesn’t help voters make an informed choice. Instead, it offers rhetorical nonsense masquerading as serious political analysis. 

It’s valid to scrutinize our elected representatives’ track record and ask if they can do better. But Purvis’ piece doesn’t offer an honest critique. It strings together a series of bald assertions, disparate data points and dubious claims. (Did Oregonians really tell the Prosperity Council they want “bold change”? I really doubt it.)

It takes Kotek’s years in public service out of context, failing to recognize elected office requires one to grapple with a multitude of demands from the many stakeholders impacted by any particular policy decision. And perhaps most egregiously, it selectively frames Drazan to make her appear moderate when she is far from it.

I don’t need multiple citations to make this case. I offer a single clip from a recent debate to show voters what we can expect should Drazan become our next governor. She parrots almost verbatim the Oregon Hospital Association talking points to gaslight voters about healthcare mergers, and champions the cause of an out-of-state corporation actively seeking to dismantle the unions at Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford (I should note that I am the deputy director of labor for the Oregon Nurses Association, but the views expressed here are my own).

Drazan is telling us who she is here, and we would be wise to believe her. She operates in service of big business and as governor will imperil women and children’s health, worker rights and set back current efforts to address the impacts of climate change on our state.

Kotek will continue to serve from her core values of fairness and equity, seeking to protect the vulnerable, continuing to stand up to the Trump administration, and implementing solutions that will have the greatest benefit for working people.

Purvis tells us taking a chance on a Drazan administration is “a risk worth taking,” when in fact it is incredibly reckless given how much is at stake for Oregonians.

Claire Syrett
Former Eugene City Councilor