Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber Facing Serious Ethics Violations, Democrat Legislators Keeping Distance

Political experts say the controversial Oregon leader is facing the biggest challenge of his political career, and he might not survive it.

A series of recent stories and editorials have shed new light on allegations of influence peddling by the Oregon Governor.  Kitzhaber is accused of using his fiances' to help influence political leaders and groups towards favoring his controversial environmental policies.

Kitzhaber is many ways in a mirror image of WA Gov. Jay Inslee when it comes to environmental policy. He signed the Pacific Coast Region Environmental pact with Inslee, CA Gov. Jerry Brown and the leader of British Columbia that called for low-carbon fuel standards. It also put forth a number of potentially economically damaging policies in the name of global warming.

Although rumors of influence peddling have been simmering for months, now the Oregon State Attorney General's Office is considering legal action.

Kitzhaber's finace' Cylvia Hayes, worked as a paid consultant for various organizations which had an interest in Oregon public policy, or legislation and laws. She also worked as an unpaid advisor in the Governor's office. Critics accuse her of helping further Kitzhaber's environmental agenda, and point to their relationship as conflict of interest. They also claim the money she was paid constitutes influence peddling.

Now, the heat has been turned up big time. The Oregonian Newspaper recently released an editorial calling for his resignation, despite endorsing him in last November's election. Another paper, the Yamhill Valley News-Register from McMinnville, also called for him to step down in rather harsh terms. The Register had endorsed Kitzhaber's GOP opponent, legislator Dennis Richardson, in the election.

Now, numerous Democratic representatives and senators in the Oregon legislature are backing away from Kitzhaber by not stepping to his defense, or refusing to address the issue. Experts say they are leaving him "isolated," which in political-speak is not a good sign.

Democratic legislators control the Oregon senate and house, and while they are pushing to get Kitzhaber's environmental policies passed, critics say the plans should be scuttled because of the allegations of influence peddling.