U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the resignation of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber:
“John Kitzhaber has a long record of dedicated public service but sadly the circumstances of his resignation leave another stain on a chapter of Oregon history. If what we have all read is true, this may well go down as one of Oregon government’s darkest moments. Many Oregonians are left wondering, how much more is to come? Will those who bankrolled what looks like influence peddling be brought to justice, too? Just how infested is our state government?”
Kitzhaber announced Friday he would resign amid a mounting ethics scandal involving him and his fiancée involving allegations that he and Hayes had abused his office, possibly committing crimes and ethics violations. Investigations, including another reportedly launched by the FBI, center around Cylvia Hayes, who has pocketed more than $200,000 as a consultant during the same time she was the acting first lady as well as an adviser to the governor.
“I am announcing today that I will resign as governor of the state of Oregon,” Kitzhaber said in a written statement.
The resignation, which will go into effect Wednesday, marks the end of one of the longest political careers in Oregon’s history. Last month, Kitzhaber was sworn in to serve an unprecedented fourth term as the state’s governor.
Secretary of State Kate Brown, a Democrat like Kitzhaber, was expected to assume the office and become the first openly bisexual governor in the country. Unlike most states, Oregon does not have a lieutenant governor, and the state Constitution puts the secretary of state next in line.
