Dirk VanderHart
Dirk VanderHart covers Oregon politics and government for OPB. Before barging onto the radio in 2018, he spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter—much of that time reporting on city government for the Portland Mercury. He’s also had stints covering chicanery in Southwest Missouri, the wilds of Ohio in Ohio, and all things Texas on Capitol Hill.
Dirk’s byline has appeared in USA Today, The New York Times, The Houston Chronicle, The Columbus Dispatch, The Oregonian, and more. He’s got a journalism degree from Michigan State University.
-
Kotek's reelection platform falls into four main categories, including increasing affordability, boosting the economy, improving Oregon's underperforming K-12 schools, and defending attributes that make the state unique. -
Pacific Green candidate Brett Smith could siphon key votes from Gov. Tina Kotek in a tight Oregon governor rematch against Republican Christine Drazan. -
Oregon Democrats express faith in the upcoming vote-by-mail election despite ongoing legal battles over President Donald Trump's attempt to restrict mail ballot delivery. -
The Oregon governor is escalating her stance on the facilities as they emerge as a political hot potato. -
Oregon lawmakers meet in Salem to consider over $120 million for wildfire costs as fire season continues, alongside data privacy and public defense issues. -
Secretary of State Tobias Read is asking for more money to help ensure voters can skip mailing their ballot this year. -
Economists also say the state may be in for more revenue as lawmakers craft a budget next year. -
Oregon election officials say November's vote-by-mail will proceed as planned after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily cleared President Trump's executive order. -
Oregon state Rep. Greg Smith lost a key budget co-chair role after ethics violations, though the Heppner Republican retains significant legislative influence in Salem. -
With the Oregon Working Families Party’s decision, the state is on pace to have its least crowded race in more than two decades.
