DPO Executive Director: Knute Buehler hasn't delivered results or earned Oregonians' trust

In his four short years as a Republican state representative from Bend, Knute Buehler would have you believe that he's tackled all the big, difficult problems facing Oregon. At least, that's what he's implying in his campaign rhetoric. What he neglects to mention is his record — and that record makes clear he really hasn't accomplished much at all. Instead of delivering results, Rep. Buehler has become the king of "protest votes" and partisan maneuvers out of the right-wing playbook.

Much like President Trump's unwillingness to admit that leadership is hard work and serving the people is serious business, Buehler would have you believe that his slogans and charisma are the answers to all of our problems. That's a hard sell, seeing that Buehler has yet to demonstrate the capacity to solve any big problems at all.  

Gov. Kate Brown has led our state through some trying times and Oregonians are better off for it. We have record low unemployment, rising graduation rates and 95 percent of Oregonians have health care. Buehler's anemic record just doesn't compete.

Not only does Buehler have little to show for his four years in the Legislature, his votes show how he is hopelessly out of touch with Oregon's values. One key example? During his time in the Legislature, Buehler joined ranks with his fellow Republicans to vote "no" on a critical bill to guarantee health-care coverage for abortion and enshrine Roe v. Wade into state law. He also voted no on a bill to protect Medicaid funding for thousands of Oregon kids and families. With changes coming to the U.S. Supreme Court, these fundamental rights are facing new threats.

Even when given a second chance to improve his record (and presumably while pondering a gubernatorial run), Knute Buehler has twice voted against efforts to increase funding for foster care, human services and Oregon classrooms, choosing to put politics ahead of seeking bipartisan solutions to help Oregonians.

In fact, Buehler has often voted against bills that received support from both sides of the aisle. He turned down $5.3 billion for a statewide transportation package, said "no" to common-sense background checks for gun owners, and rejected bipartisan work to provide access to health insurance for every child in Oregon. Kudos to those Republicans who worked to improve our state, but Oregonians should be puzzled by why Knute Buehler would align himself with the most far-right members of his party. 

Knute Buehler wants a chance to lead this state, but he hasn't delivered results or earned our trust. He's had plenty of chances in his four years in Salem to step up and deliver for Oregonians, but instead, he blames everyone but himself for his failure to lead. And now he's trying to cover up his record.

Oregon has a great, proven leader in Gov. Kate Brown. We know where she stands, and we can trust her to get things done. Let's re-elect her this fall.