Statement of Commissioner Doug Breidenthal on Ethics Commission Ruling

Today, January 15, 2016, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission decided to investigate the
matter regarding the campaign account for my office with the Western Interstate Region (WIR)
of the National Association of Counties (NACo). It appears that in taking this action, the Ethics
Commission acknowledges that new rules instituted last summer made it virtually impossible for
its staff to fully analyze the matter due to the brief time frame now allowed by current rules.
Under the prior rules, the Commission had 150 days to make its preliminary analysis. The new
rules provide only 30 days.
The legal technicalities of this matter are not simple because it was not a typical election,
governed under Oregon law. If this were a normal political campaign, none of the contributions
and expenses would be questioned under campaign finance regulations. However, although the
office I hold with WIR requires that I be an elected official, the office is elected through votes by
members of WIR rather than the general population. Unfortunately, there are no clear rules in
effect to address this matter of a professional public-serving organization.
When I embarked on the endeavor to seek the WIR office, I saw it as a great opportunity for
Jackson County. I proceeded carefully to make sure everything was done properly. I sought
advice from both Jackson County officials, and the leaders of the Association of Oregon
Counties (AOC). AOC set up the campaign account and gave me instructions on how to conduct
it, and informed me that it was operating on an understanding based on advice AOC had received
years prior from the Orregon Ethics Commission. It is my understanding that AOC has helped
other elected officials in Oregon in the same manner. However, as I understand it, the Oregon
Ethics Commission feels it needs to do a thorough analysis of the situation under the current
regulations.
It is clear to me that, for the sake of all elected officials and the citizens they serve, this situation
needs clarification. I am looking forward to the Oregon Ethics Commissions final decision so
that we can use this case to help the Oregon Legislature develop laws that will cover the
hundreds of elected officials in Oregon who have or are currently using this common practice to
represent Oregon at a national level.
It is unfortunate that the Jackson County Administrator did not take the time to fully research and
understand these laws before he directed staff to file the complaint. This is proving to be a costly
endeavor for the citizens of Jackson County that could have been simply avoided if the
administrator had asked for an opinion from the Oregon Ethics Commision. At no point, to my
understanding, did the administrator ever come to the Board of Commissioners for direction on
this subject matter.
As I have stated, I have done nothing wrong. I am confident that a thorough investigation by the
Oregon Ethics Commission will show I have done nothing wrong. In addition, I believe this
process shows there needs to be clarification in current Oregon law about these types of

campaigns. I pledge to work on making the changes needed by asking the Oregon Legislature to
enact legislation that provides clear campaign finance guidance for these important offices. I
have asked the Ethics Commission to make recommendations that will help the Legislature with
its task.
Until the Ethics Commission investigation is complete, I plan to continue to devote my full
attention to the people of Jackson County by carrying out my responsibilities and duties as a
Jackson County Commissioner, giving the people of Jackson County a strong voice at the local,
state and federal level that my WIR position provides.
January 15, 2016