PORTLAND, Ore. — Making her first official public appearance since Gov. John Kitzhaber announced his resignation amid an ethics scandal, Oregon governor-to-be Kate Brown was swarmed by media and well-wishers Saturday.
At an event at the Oregon Historical Society marking the state’s 156th birthday, Brown avoided any mention of her new job or the criminal investigation into the man she is set to replace next week. Instead, she vowed protect the state’s beautiful landscape and people.
“Our task, our challenge is to make sure we keep Oregon the very special place that it is, and I look forward to working with you to make sure that happens,” she said. “So happy birthday, Oregon.”
The speakers attending the celebration kept their focus on the birthday party and not the stunning events that unfolded Friday, first with Kitzhaber’s emotional declaration that he will step down Wednesday, followed by news of a federal subpoena served on the state Department of Administrative Services.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland demanded a laundry list of records, e-mails, travel logs and other documents related to Kitzhaber and his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes.
It said the material must be brought to a federal grand jury hearing March 10.
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, whose agency is investigating the governor alongside federal prosecutors, said that she came to Saturday’s event to help celebrate Oregon’s birthday but said, “This is obviously a bittersweet day. The juxtaposition does not go unnoticed.”
When Kerry Tymchuk, executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, introduced Brown, he said, “Kate, our thoughts are with you. Our prayers are with you.”
Under Oregon’s constitution, Secretary of State Brown will be sworn in as governor after Kitzhaber’s resignation goes into effect. She will appoint her replacement.
Kitzhaber did not attend the birthday celebration and has not appeared in public since he faced growing pressure to leave office. Former Govs. Barbara Roberts and Ted Kulongoski attended Saturday’s event.
