Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s legal partner has announced that she is undergoing treatment for addiction and mental illness as questions remain about her growing influence in the governor’s office.
On Tuesday, Oregon’s first lady, Amy Kotek Wilson, 47, acknowledged her struggle with alcoholism. “I am sharing this information about myself now and in the past in hopes that it will make a difference and reduce stigma,” Wilson said in a statement. statement. “Too many people remain silent about their experiences due to shame, pain, and fear. … That’s why it’s so important to me that I do my part to reduce the stigma around addiction and mental health. It’s important.”
Wilson has not disclosed the nature of his mental illness or the length of his recovery from addiction. oregon live report.
Her announcement also follows intense criticism of her newly expanded role in the governor’s office. Technically, Wilson is working as an unpaid volunteer, but she was recently given a private office. Willamette Week It has been described as “the governor’s crowded office.”
Wilson likewise accompanied Kotek on a recent international tour, speaking with mental health experts. As part of her job, Ms Wilson was also issued with an additional security detail, which was paid for from Kotek’s existing budget.
Governor Kotek opened a formal First Spouse Office earlier this week and is even exploring the possibility of bringing on Melia Mashiba, formerly of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, as a short-term advisor in this regard. Sources said Mashiba plans to “also support and support his current first spouse in a public capacity supporting the regime.” statement From Governor’s Press Secretary Elizabeth Shepard.
Mr Mashiba will remain as an advisor for six months and will receive $72,000 for his work during that time. After six months, another person will take over the position.
Other states, such as California and Maryland, already have First Spouse Departments, but recent governors have been forced to resign at least in part because of their fiancée’s use of influence. As a result, Oregonians may be wary of establishing a primary spouse office in their state.
In February 2015, just one month into his fourth term, Governor John Kitzhaber (Democratic Party) attended an official meeting and announced that his fiancée, Sylvia Hayes, who was instrumental in promoting environmental policy, He resigned after being accused of taking $118,000 in scholarships from environmental groups that had a strong interest in the issue. Policies promoted by Hayes. There are also indications that Hayes did not report that amount on her tax return. In the end, she agreed to pay $44,000 for her ethics violations.
Although no such allegations of financial wrongdoing have been made against Mr. Wilson, three senior advisers are expected to leave the governor’s office in the next week or so, all citing strained relations with Mr. Wilson. It is reported that.
Jeff Barker, a former Democratic congressman from Washington County, said he was disappointed in Mr. Kotek for allowing Mr. Wilson to have so much influence, given the hazing scandal that plagued Mr. Kitzhaver’s final years in office. I was surprised,” he said. “It’s too much like nepotism,” Barker said.
“I can’t believe they would open a can of worms,” said another former Democratic lawmaker. “There’s very little good and a lot of bad.”
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission acknowledged Monday that it had received complaints about Kotek regarding Wilson’s role as first lady. Details of the complaint have not been disclosed.
“In accordance with Oregon ethics laws, we review and respond to complaints as soon as we receive them,” said Shepard, the Kotek spokeswoman. “As this is a pending complaint, we have no further comment.”
In a separate statement, Shepherd asserted that “the governor makes all policy decisions on his behalf.”
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