Readers respond: Oregon needs limits on campaign donations

The federal government of Oregon is being captured by huge cash. Candidates for governor spent over $80 million on their campaigns within the major and basic elections, doubling the earlier document of $40 million and 40-fold the quantity spent in 1998. Candidates for the Oregon Legislature spent over $40 million, additionally setting a brand new document. The highest 10 Oregon Senate candidates spent a median of $1.5 million every; they spent round $50 per vote. The highest 10 Oregon Home candidates spent a median of $867,000 every; they spent almost $60 per vote. One man alone contributed $5.25 million to candidates for Oregon governor this yr. Oregon is one among 5 states with no enforced limits on marketing campaign contributions. The result’s that Oregon campaigns are among the many most costly in america, making candidates depending on and beholden to their enormous donors. Voters ought to demand that the Oregon Legislature, with Gov.-elect Tina Kotek, enact efficient marketing campaign finance reform, together with limits on marketing campaign contributions and requiring that political adverts title their largest funders.

Dan Meek, Portland

Meek is a volunteer with Trustworthy Elections Oregon.