Oregon Republican Party National Committeewoman Files Formal Complaint Over Governor Kotek’s Reelection Interview

Oregon Republican Party National Committeewoman Files Formal Complaint Over Governor Kotek’s Reelection Interview Conducted in Governor’s Office Oregon Republican Party National Committeewoman Tracy Honl has filed a formal complaint with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and Oregon Secretary of State’s Office requesting an investigation into whether public employees or taxpayer-funded resources were improperly used in connection with a reelection-focused interview featuring Governor Tina Kotek.

The interview, conducted by journalist and podcaster Aaron Parnas and released October 15, 2026, reportedly took place inside the Governor’s Office. The discussion addressed Kotek’s reelection campaign, with an on-screen graphic reading, “GOV. TINA KOTEK ON HER REELECTION CAMPAIGN.”

According to the complaint, the interview was subsequently shared on Governor Kotek’s campaign Instagram account.

The central question is whether official government resources were used to facilitate political campaign activity.

Oregon law establishes restrictions intended to prevent public employees from being required to participate in political campaigning and prohibits covered public employees from promoting or opposing candidates while working or acting in their official capacity.

The complaint cites ORS 260.432(1)(b), ORS 260.432(2)(b), and OAR 165-013-0030, which incorporates the Secretary of State’s Restrictions on Political Advocacy by Public Employees manual.

Although elected officials are excluded from the statute’s definition of public employee, the restrictions on directing public employees to engage in political activity apply to everyone, including elected officials.

The complaint asks investigators to determine:

Whether state employees scheduled, coordinated, prepared for, or otherwise facilitated the campaign-related interview. Whether public employees performed any campaign-related work during taxpayer-funded working hours. Whether state-owned equipment, computers, internet service, lighting, or other resources were used for campaign purposes. Who authorized use of the Governor’s Office for the interview and whether applicable state policies permitted that use. Whether comparable access to the facility is available to other gubernatorial candidates. The complaint also raises questions about whether any public employees were directed to assist with activities that would constitute political advocacy under Oregon law.

The fact that an elected official discusses an election during a media interview does not, standing alone, establish a violation. The complaint seeks to determine whether the circumstances surrounding this particular interview involved prohibited public-employee activity or improper use of state resources.

The ORP National Committeewoman Honl is requesting a thorough and impartial review of the allegations and a clear explanation of the rules governing the use of public facilities and employees in connection with campaign-related media appearances.