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.
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Attorney Rich Walsh, a former member of the Keizer City Council, will take on Republican state Sen. Kim Thatcher in November. His nomination comes after Woodburn Mayor Eric Swenson unexpectedly ended his campaign. -
Johnson's surprise guest appearance at a TEDxPortland event Saturday was derailed when members of the audience demanded she address gun control.
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Walkouts have been used by both parties over the years, but have become a prominent part of the Republican playbook recently.
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Betsy Johnson's campaign also announced notable endorsements.
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Former Oregon House Minority Leader Christine Drazan received less than a quarter of the votes in an uncommonly packed 19-person field. Despite divisions, she says Republicans will back her in November.
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Former speaker of the state House Tina Kotek has prevailed over Treasurer Tobias Read. If elected in Nov., Kotek would be the first openly lesbian governor elected in the nation.
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Nearly two-thirds of voters rate Oregon’s economic conditions as “poor” or “very poor," but economists say the state's roared back from pandemic-driven disaster.
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Billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried has spent millions backing political newcomer Carrick Flynn. A look at both men's backgrounds shows they have traveled in similar orbits for years.
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Biden was joined by Gov. Kate Brown and members of Oregon's congressional delegation in an appearance at Portland's airport. It was his first visit to the state as president.
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President Joe Biden is coming to Portland to tout infrastructure spending, raise money for DemocratsThe president tapped Oregon as a stage as he makes the case for Democratic success. He'll also talk to private donors.
