Gov. Tina Kotek will seek guidance this week on how to create a larger role for her wife in her administration while complying with state ethics laws.
In her first press conference since the departure of three top aides was announced two weeks ago, Kotek on Wednesday refused to comment on widespread speculation that the shakeup was tied to an increasing role First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson has pressed for in Kotek鈥檚 office.
But the governor acknowledged that she didn鈥檛 have clear answers about how such a formal role would line up with government ethics rules. In recent days, Kotek has hired a new staffer who is supporting her wife鈥檚 role in the administration, and helping advise on whether to formally create an Office of the First Spouse within the administration. She鈥檚 also directed state police for Kotek Wilson any time the first lady appears on behalf of the governor鈥檚 office.
Now, Kotek said, she will ask the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for guidance on how far the first lady鈥檚 role can extend.
鈥淲e weren鈥檛 sure what questions we needed to ask,鈥� Kotek said Wednesday in a sit-down with reporters, adding she expected questions would be submitted on Friday. 鈥淲e are now expediting that because of the public interest.鈥�
On March 22, Kotek鈥檚 office announced the departure of Chief of Staff Andrea Cooper. Upon questioning by OPB and other outlets, the two other top aides were also leaving the governor鈥檚 staff: Deputy Chief of Staff Lindsey O鈥橞rien and Special Adviser Abby Tibbs.
The governor鈥檚 office has repeatedly declined to comment on the reasons behind those departures, saying personnel decisions are not public. None of the three women has responded to requests for comment. But sources with knowledge of the governor鈥檚 office have repeatedly pointed to disagreements over Kotek Wilson鈥檚 expanding role as a key motivator.
Kotek would not answer questions about the staff shakeup Wednesday, and at one point referred to speculation about what led to them as 鈥渁ssumptions.鈥� She instead seemed to suggest it was normal for three-fourths of her executive team to leave at this juncture of her first term.
鈥淲e are continuing to work hard every day on the priorities that I鈥檝e set, and we have a transition in our office where we need to have some new leaders step up or bring in some new people,鈥� Kotek said. 鈥淭hat is not unusual.鈥�
滨迟鈥檚across the country for first spouses to take a somewhat active role in gubernatorial administrations. In California 鈥� a far larger state with a far larger budget 鈥� First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom oversees a staff of six people. Meanwhile in Washington, First Lady Trudi Inslee has a part-time staffer who helps with her schedule.
How far Kotek Wilson鈥檚 role could expand remains to be seen. Oregon鈥檚 first lady already has her own small office among members of the governor鈥檚 staff, along with two employees who assist her. Kotek said she could not answer how far Kotek Wilson鈥檚 role in the office would ultimately extend. 鈥淚 think we are trying to figure out what that even means,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat does it mean to be involved in policy?鈥�
The first lady has spoken publicly about her struggles with addiction and has been involved in behavioral health meetings within Kotek鈥檚 office. The governor said she didn鈥檛 know what policy role her spouse might play in her office but that she had both 鈥渓ived and professional experience on an issue important to Oregonians.鈥�
鈥淲e need to understand how that can be added into the mix to actually solve problems,鈥� the governor said.
When Kotek was asked how she would ensure her staff felt comfortable disagreeing with her spouse, she promised that she would set up 鈥減olicies and procedures that are crystal clear for staff鈥� and if there are concerns there is a 鈥減athway for them to get addressed.鈥�
But she said, no matter the role the first spouse will play, the governor is the one making the decisions.
鈥淭he buck stops with me,鈥� Kotek said. 鈥淧olicy decisions and choices are mine and mine alone.鈥�
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