Just two weeks into the general election, Betsy Johnson’s campaign for governor is already in trouble. On Saturday, Betsy got booed by TedxPortland attendees who disapproved of her appearance at the nonpartisan event and her position on Second Amendment issues. Johnson’s appearance spawned as many as seven complaints with the Department of Justice, with complainants alleging the forum broke IRS rules for nonprofits.

By Tuesday, Betsy changed her position on gun control. Despite voting against background checks and other gun control restrictions as a member of the legislature, Johnson betrayed her own record by expressing support for new restrictions on Oregonians’ Second Amendment rights. The change in position added to a growing list of flip flops by the longtime Democrat.

On Wednesday, public polling showed Johnson in last place. Despite outspending both Republican nominee Christine Drazan ($2.2 million) and Democratic nominee Tina Kotek ($2.7 million), a poll conducted by Nelson Research showed Johnson in a distant third place for governor. Johnson spent more than $3.3 million during the course of the primary season, despite having no opponent.

STATEMENT FROM

Tracy Honl, Oregon Republican Party National Committeewoman

“The past week alone has shown that Betsy Johnson’s rhetoric and record will crumble under the weight and scrutiny of the general election. She is a career politician with a newfound penchant for flip-flopping on the issues. She is doing a good enough job destroying her credibility on her own, but we certainly will not shy away from continuing to highlight her flip-flops and voting record to the people of Oregon.”