Gov. Kotek scraps plan to expand role of First Spouse after ongoing criticism

SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — With a variety of issues swirling, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek revealed she will be pulling the plug on plans to allow her wife to take on the role of First Spouse.

“I am sorry for the way this conversation between my office and you has started,” Kotek said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Her apology follows claims that she didn’t correctly handle efforts to expand the role for her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson.

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This marks a major turnaround for the governor, who has faced sharp criticism both within her office and from the public – losing several top staff members who flagged her decision.

“After listening to and reflecting on the concerns of Oregonians who have contacted my office, as well as the advice of staff, I want to be clear about next steps: There will not be an Office of the First Spouse. There will not be a position of Chief of Staff to the First Spouse. Other than staff that is assigned to support the First Lady in her official duties, no state staff will report to her or be supervised by her.”

The governor said she alone makes all policy and personnel decisions for the governor’s office. However, Gov. Kotek did say her wife would still attend events representing the governor’s office in a more traditional First Spouse role.

New information came to light last week concerning Kotek and how the role of the First Spouse may be affecting government staffers in Salem after thousands of pages of documents were released by Kotek’s office.

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The Oregon Ethics Commission is also investigating multiple complaints about the duties Kotek Wilson assumed after the governor took office last year.

Backlash triggered the ghost of a previous scandal involving former Gov. John Kitzhaber, who resigned from office after it came out his fiancée was running her political consulting business out of his office – both getting fined by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for influence peddling.

The governor met with members of the media as the state remains engrossed in multiple issues, including protesters who continue to camp at Portland State University and the expiration of the 90-day fentanyl emergency in Multnomah County.

The governor’s office confirmed they’ve been in touch with PSU officials and Portland leaders about the protests over the Israeli-Hamas war and the demand for a ceasefire.

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The 90-day fentanyl emergency for the county ended Monday. But the declaration brought different organizations to coordinate with each other as well as an educational campaign and expanded outreach programs.

The full press conference van be viewed in the video player above.

Kotek will hold another press conference on the fentanyl emergency Friday along with Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson.

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