OPB Politics Now

It has been a long time since Oregon voters have elected a Republican to a statewide office. But this election cycle, voters will pick a new secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer. Will voters finally choose a Republican to serve in the upper echelons of state government? We’ll discuss on the latest episode of OPB Politics Now. Reporters Lauren Dake, Conrad Wilson and Kyra Buckley analyze the races. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Oregon is home to one of the nation’s most consequential Congressional races. OPB’s Bryce Dole took a deep dive – and drive – through the district in recent weeks where he visited the fire-ravaged Santiam Canyon, talked housing in Deschutes County and delved into the issues on the urban/rural divide in Clackamas County.  On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now we take a deeper dive into the 5th Congressional District and what voters say are their top issues. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

In Oregon, we’ve been using vote-by-mail for more than 20 years without evidence of systemic fraud. So, it’s been easy for Democrats to dismiss conservatives who have been raising questions about the system. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart discuss the history of Oregon’s voting system and its various tweaks, the revelation that hundreds of people were automatically registered to vote who shouldn’t have been and what the political fallout may be. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Greg Walden has been a major feature of Oregon politics for decades. Now the former congressman has emerged as the most-influential figure in helping Republicans win back power in the state Capitol. 

On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discuss the state of Republican fundraising in Oregon, Walden’s influence and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Oregon Democrats and Republicans are locked in battle this year over a number of high profile congressional seats in the state. So why has the Oregon GOP been focusing so much on the tiny Libertarian Party of Oregon? On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk with Julia Shumway of the Oregon Capital Chronicle about her recent reporting. We discussed Republicans’ mission to clear the ballot of spoiler candidates, and why it might be a longshot. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Oregon’s experiment with decriminalization is over. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Conrad Wilson are joined by editor Michelle Wiley to discuss the new world beginning on September 1st and beyond. Subscribe to OPB Politics Now anywhere you get your podcasts – or watch it on YouTube – to get the latest episodes each Friday.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but two elected officials in Multnomah County had a public dispute in recent weeks over how to address homeless camping. This time the elected sheriff of the state’s most populous county was at loggerheads with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, but now they appear to be on the same page. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss the latest on the issue and what comes next. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Portland’s government makeover will fundamentally alter how things work inside City Hall. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart go deep into how the City Council will introduce legislation, engage the public and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts

We're taking a break from the normal pod this week, but with good reason. OPB's Think Out Loud host Dave Miller recently sat down with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for a lengthy discussion that touches on cell phones in schools, the controversy over first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson and lots more. We'll be back with a new episode next week.

On this week's show, reporters Lauren Dake, Troy Brynelson and Jeanie Lindsay discuss the big races in next week's Washington state primary.