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.
-
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. -
For the first time in three decades, Oregon will place limits on political donations beginning in January. But months before that change, the next tussle over Oregon campaign finance laws is already getting underway. -
An Oregonian with deep ties to state politics is slated to be the head of the federal Indian Health Service. -
Most voters support a temporary ban on the facilities and strongly oppose offering tax breaks. -
Initiative petition 28 did not have enough valid signatures, elections officials determined. -
A trio of business groups argue the 2026 bill raises taxes and needed supermajority support.
