Dick Hughes points out in this week’s Capital Chatter column that despite two legislatives sessions most observers consider successful, Gov. Tina Kotek remains one of the most unpopular governors in the country. 

Recent polling has reiterated that point, and pollster John Horvick tells Hughes that it’s no big change that has led to that outcome — Oregon governors have been wildly unpopular for a long time. 

But Kotek’s situation is unusual in that she has stuck to her guns on policy issues such as homelessness and housing, behavioral health and addiction, and early childhood and education, yet Oregonians’ collective opinion has remained consistently negative.

Read more in Hughes’ column this week. 

Elsewhere in the Oregon Capital Insider, find news on the May 21 election, the Oregon State Hospital, an Oregon Supreme Court ruling regarding false imprisonment and wonder of wonders, Dolly Parton.