Fox News is reporting that President Joe Biden will be visiting Oregon to Campaign for Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Tina Kotek. Attendance at the fundraiser is $500 each or $5,000 for a personal picture with President Biden.

President Joe Biden’s visit to Oregon this week falls at a time of rising inflation and soaring gas prices. Biden’s itinerary includes a speech on the economy, which will highlight “lowering costs for American families.” The average price of gas in Oregon is $5.54, a record high in state history and inflation has reached 8.3%.

Oregon has the third highest gas prices in the nation currently, following California and Alaska. According to OPB, average gas price nationally sits at $3.74 per gallon, “$1.39 below Oregon’s average.”

Inflation is hurting Oregonians as the price of groceries, the cost of rent, and other everyday expenses rose significantly this past year. As The Oregonian pointed out, the price of groceries “soared 13.5% — the biggest 12-month increase since 1979.”

According to a press release from Oregon Senate Republican leadership, "The real question is whether Oregon Democrats, who have enacted similar failed policies here at home, will stand by Biden during his visit and whether his trip helps or hurts Democrats this November. Biden’s trip comes on the heels of Oregon being dubbed a battleground state this cycle after decades of Democrat control."

Governor Kate Brown has decided to avoid President Biden altogether during his upcoming visit. The Governor’s staff announced she will be in Asia from October 14-16 on a trade mission to promote foreign investment.

"Let’s be clear, Brown would rather flee the country than be seen with the President of the United States, who could further tank Democrats numbers here ahead of the election," noted the Senate Republican release.

Kate Brown and the President share similar approval ratings, with a Morning Consult poll this week confirming Brown’s ranking as the least popular governor in the United States and Biden’s net approval in Oregon is -11 (that is, the share who approve of his job performance minus the share who disapprove).

"President Biden’s untimely trip to Oregon to bail out the Democrats and lecture Oregonians on the state of the economy is ridiculous," the Senate Republican release said.

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said, “We’re surprised anyone would want to be seen with the President who with the help of his Democrat colleagues caused the highest gas prices in Oregon history.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-10-14 05:00:00

Last Update: 2022-10-15 04:06:22