PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Aaron Fiedler

aaron.fiedler@oregonlegislature.gov

503-986-1904

Rep. Caddy McKeown Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2020

McKeown's accomplishments include passing historic transportation package and landmark long-term care reform

SALEM, Ore. – Rep. Caddy McKeown (D–Coos Bay) announced this morning that after four terms in the Oregon Legislature, she will not seek re-election in 2020. Rep. McKeown has represented House District 9, which includes the South and Central Coast from Coos Bay to Yachats, since 2012.

“I first sought this post because I believe Oregon’s South Coast deserves to have someone fighting for them in the legislature,” Rep. McKeown said. “Over my four terms, I have been proud to work across the aisle to bring significant investments to our communities on the South Coast. It has truly been an honor.”

As co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization in 2017, Rep. McKeown was instrumental in the development and passage of the historic transportation package known as Keep Oregon Moving. This once-in-a-generation investment in Oregon’s transportation infrastructure has become a nationwide model and will pay dividends for decades to come.

Rep. McKeown’s concern about the vulnerability of Oregon’s seniors culminated in significant legislation to improve the quality of care for the elderly at Oregon’s long-term care facilities. During her tenure in the legislature, Rep. McKeown has proudly served on the Legislative Committee on Indian Services, represented Oregon at the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, served as co-convener of the Sudden Oak Death Task Force, and worked closely with her colleagues in the bicameral and bipartisan Legislative Coastal Caucus to advocate for coastal priorities.

Rep. McKeown, a fourth-generation Oregonian born and raised in Coos Bay, began her career in public service on the Coos Bay School Board, where she served for 11 years. In 2004, she was appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to the Board of Commissioners of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, where she served for nine years and worked to acquire and rehabilitate the Coos Bay Rail Line. Rep. McKeown also served on the Energy Trust of Oregon board for 11 years and on the boards of various local non-profits.

“As school board President, Port Commissioner, and State Representative, Caddy McKeown has been a dedicated and effective advocate for our area and her district for decades. I can say that she will be greatly missed, and on behalf of our community would like to thank her for all that she has done,” said Coos Bay Mayor and Southwest Regional Airport Commissioner Joe Benetti.

Rep. McKeown looks forward to serving the constituents of House District 9 until her term expires in January 2021.

###

Oregon GOP Files Election Complaint Against HD9 Pro-Caddy McKeown PACs

Wilsonville, OR – The Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, Bill Currier, filed an election complaint against the “Oregon South Coast Voices” and “Caddy McKeown for Representative” political action committees, alleging that they violated Oregon campaign finance law by failing to promptly disclose multiple paid campaign advertisement transactions.

According to ORESTAR, “Oregon South Coast Voices” has not reported any expenditures as of October 23, 2018, even though this PAC has been running political ads in Oregon House District 9 for over a week. Furthermore, donations reported by other PACs to “Oregon South Coast Voices” have also not been reported in ORESTAR on time by exceeding the 7-day allowable reporting period, likely incurring multiple additional violations.

“Oregon South Coast Voices” PAC has paid for and published an online video advertisement that’s identical to the one paid for and run on television by the “Caddy McKeown for Representative” PAC - however, neither PAC has filed this as an in-kind contribution.  This would appear to be an attempt to conceal activity by “Oregon South Coast Voices” on behalf of “Caddy McKeown for Representative,” which would be a further violation of both the spirit and letter of Oregon’s campaign finance reporting laws.

“Caddy McKeown's campaign has already spent half a million dollars that they've collected from special interests. Despite this, McKeown’s campaign still sees the need to skirt campaign finance laws in order to surreptitiously benefit from thousands of dollars of dark money contributed by her Portland political allies,” said Oregon Republican Chairman Bill Currier.  “This is a covert attempt to hide from the voters of House District 9 that Portland’s elite are trying to buy this seat.”

“Today we call on the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office to open a formal investigation into the PACs of Representative McKeown and the Portland-based ‘Oregon South Coast Voices.’  The voters of House District 9 deserve open and transparent campaigns.”

The details of the alleged violations can be found in the complaint and supporting documentation.

Attached: ORP-HD9-campaign-finance-complaint.pdf, Oregon-South-Coast-Voices-2018-10-23-122703.pdf

The Oregon Republican Party is the state’s arm of the Republican National Committee. Its Chairman and officers are dedicated to preserving and advancing Republican principles within the state of Oregon and to improving the lives and livelihoods of Oregon’s working families through economic freedom and equal protection under the law.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday 10/23/18 – 01:00 PM PT
Contact: ORP Communications Director
communications.director@oregon.gop – (503) 902-4671