Led by lifelong Oregonian David Elton, we’re fighting to end the failed policies from Salem that have hurt our state—especially Portland’s chaos—and restore what makes Oregon great: safer communities, thriving rural and coastal economies, lower taxes, and real representation for all.
Elton For Oregon is dedicated to showcasing the stark contrast between Portland’s decline under Democrat leadership and the enduring strength of the rest of our state. From the stunning beaches to the forests, valleys, and mountains, Oregon’s true heart beats in our rural and coastal communities—not in urban experiments gone wrong.
Safer Streets, Lower Taxes, Better Representation
Oregon Governor
Why Elton For Oregon Exists
“I’ve lived in Oregon my entire life and seen firsthand how out-of-touch policies from Salem have devastated our state—especially Portland. From exploding homelessness and persistent crime chaos to crushing taxes and regulations that strangle coastal timber, fishing, and tourism jobs, the failed leadership of Tina Kotek and Kate Brown has hurt every Oregonian. It’s time for real change. Elton For Oregon is here to highlight Portland’s decline, defend the beauty and resilience of the rest of our state, and support proven leaders who will defeat Kotek in 2026 and restore common-sense governance.”
— David Howard Elton, Founder, Elton For Oregon
Portland Has Fallen
Protesters clash with police in Portland (Bloomberg Photo)
Portland has become a national symbol of failure under Tina Kotek and Kate Brown’s leadership: exploding homelessness (over 27,000 statewide, nearly 61% unsheltered on streets and in vehicles), lingering crime chaos, businesses fleeing high taxes and overregulation, and policies that ignore hardworking families while prioritizing urban experiments.
Siletz Bay Beach in Lincoln City (Elton For Oregon Photo)
Meanwhile, the real Oregon shines—from the rugged beauty and resilient communities of the coast to the forests, valleys, and mountains across our state. This is the Oregon worth defending: safer streets, lower taxes, thriving coastal and rural jobs, and leaders who put families first—not Salem elites.
Elton For Oregon, founded by lifelong Oregonian David Elton, is here to expose the damage done by Kotek’s unpopular, ineffective governorship and support proven challengers who will defeat her in 2026:
- Christine Drazan – State Senator and fighter for accountability
- Ed Diehl – State Representative leading against wasteful taxes
- Chris Dudley – Business leader with practical, executive solutions …and every strong candidate committed to real change.
Join Our Vision for a Stronger Oregon Tomorrow!
Elton For Oregon
Common-Sense Leadership to End Failed Salem Policies
Fighting Portland’s Decline – Restoring Oregon’s Greatness
HELP US DELIVER
Slamming Portland’s failures under Tina Kotek (low approval ~48%, homelessness surge to 27,119 statewide in 2025 PIT count, ongoing crises).
TAKE ACTION
Supporting challengers to defeat Kotek in 2026 (Drazan, Diehl, Dudley active and leading contenders).
campaign history
founding & early years –
Born from Frustration, Built for Change
Elton For Oregon was founded in early 2026 by David Elton, a homegrown writer, researcher, investor, and community advocate. Tired of watching Portland spiral under Tina Kotek’s unpopular governorship—marked by skyrocketing homelessness, persistent crime and disorder, crushing taxes, and regulations that strangle coastal timber, fishing, and tourism jobs—David created this movement to expose the damage and drive real accountability in Salem.
Building on decades of frustration with Democrat leadership (from Kate Brown’s crises in pandemic aid failures and agency mismanagement to Kotek’s low approval ratings and focus on urban priorities over rural/coastal needs), Elton For Oregon highlights the contrast: Portland’s decline versus the enduring beauty and resilience of the rest of Oregon.
Core Mission Established from Day One
From launch, our focus has been clear:
- Safer streets through accountable, common-sense policies.
- Lower taxes and fewer regulations to protect high-quality coastal and rural jobs.
- Better representation that puts hardworking families and freedom first—not Salem elites.
We proudly support strong Republican challengers ready to defeat Tina Kotek in 2026:
- Christine Drazan (State Senator and proven fighter for accountability).
- Ed Diehl (State Representative leading against wasteful taxes).
- Chris Dudley (Business leader with executive experience and practical solutions).
…and any other candidate committed to restoring Oregon’s greatness.
This is just the beginning. Elton For Oregon is growing fast as more Oregonians wake up to the need for change. Join us today to help end the failed Kotek/Brown era and champion the real Oregon.
Coming soon…
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