Out With The Old.
In With… The Old.
11.19.2024
The Oregon House Republicans have picked a new leader for the 2025 session.
And the winner is… Christine Drazan.
Just days ago, outgoing Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich said in a letter to colleagues :
“I thought of our caucus as a team and I was its captain. Instead, I found myself playing a solo in the band and my own teammates heckling me along the way.”
“What I was not prepared for, however, was the endless drama within the caucus. I went into the job expecting tough fights with Democratic leadership. Instead, the toughest fights were with the caucus and party.”
“If we want to win, we need to be united…”
Well Jeff had no reason to worry. In a press release dated Nov. 18, Drazan said:
“Our Caucus is united in our resolve to push for policies that put people before politics ahead of politics…”
Just like that, problem solved.
You will recall that under Drazan’s last reign of failure the Oregon House Republicans gave away the store to the Democrats, exiled their most committed and ethical member, (Mike Nearman) and humiliated themselves with a “deal” Drazan made with then speaker Kotek. Kotek, of course, pulled the football away and screwed the Republicans. (In all fairness, the “deal” was a joke anyway and was essentially meaningless.)
Not satisfied with with those disasters, Drazan then called for a vote to censure Kotek. A move that had a 0% chance of success and a 100% chance of retribution. (Which would explain the comical and pathetic scene of Republican House Reps running for the door to avoid that vote.)
Drazan left her position to run for Governor. She was replaced by Vikki Iverson who, while every bit as bad as Drazan, at least has found a way to make a pile of money off of other Republican candidates win or lose. (Her husband was also half of the clown show called “Oregon Gun Rights.” But that’s another grotesque story.)
After her defeat in the Governor’s race, Drazan told the Clackamas County Republican Chair that she was taking a break from politics. Before their coffee was cold she announced her bid to unseat James Hieb, the Republican who replaced her in the House.
In the spirit of protecting Republican incumbents, the House Republican Caucus immediately turned their attention to screwing over James Hieb…their incumbent. Drazan was back.
Meanwhile, Jeff Helfrich had become the new leader. But there was never any question about him holding onto that job once it was clear that Christine was once again, in the game.*
Drazan has an almost perfect record of capitulating to Democrat demands and voting for their bills no matter how bad they are.
“I’m looking forward to fighting alongside them every day for a future that puts the people of Oregon ahead of political partisanship.” Drazan said of her colleagues in the press release.
“I am excited to support Christine as she leads our caucus and becomes the voice for common-sense Oregonians state wide.” Helfrich replied, as he handed over the helm of the Titanic. One big happy dysfunctional family again.
This move makes the House Republican’s unconditional surrender official. At least now it’s on the record.
This means that once again we can expect no help from Republicans when the torrent of anti-gun bills start rolling in.
The Republicans will make a lot of meaningless noises, send out an endless stream of fundraising emails promising to fight back if they just have enough money, the Democrats will reword one paragraph and the Republicans will declare victory.
There are only two things that are certain in Oregon in 2025. Taxes and Republican surrender.
That means it’s up to us. So buckle up folks, it’s going to be an eventful year.
* Drazan’s hilarious and deceitful protests aside.