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Former top aides to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek form new political strategies firm

Oregon Politics in 2025: Governor Kotek's Challenges, Key Advisors, and Emerging Strategies

In the ever-evolving landscape of Oregon politics, 2025 has proven to be a pivotal year for Governor Tina Kotek's administration. As the state grapples with persistent issues like housing shortages, wildfire recovery, and economic inequality, Kotek's leadership is under intense scrutiny. This article delves into the roles of key figures such as Andrea Cooper, Lindsey O'Brien, and An Do, while exploring the innovative "March Strategies" approach that's gaining traction among political operatives. Drawing from recent developments, interviews, and policy analyses, we examine how these elements are shaping Oregon's political future.

Governor Tina Kotek, who took office in 2023 after a hard-fought campaign, has positioned herself as a progressive force committed to addressing Oregon's most pressing crises. Her tenure has been marked by ambitious initiatives, including a comprehensive housing plan aimed at building 36,000 new units annually and reforms to the state's behavioral health system. However, 2025 has brought new hurdles. With the legislature in session, Kotek faces pushback from both Republican lawmakers and moderate Democrats over budget allocations and environmental policies. Critics argue that her administration's focus on equity and inclusion, while laudable, has sometimes overshadowed practical governance needs, leading to delays in infrastructure projects and public safety measures.

Enter Andrea Cooper, Kotek's chief of staff since early 2024. Cooper, a seasoned political operative with roots in Oregon's labor movement, has been instrumental in navigating these challenges. Previously serving as a senior advisor in the Oregon House of Representatives, Cooper brings a wealth of experience in coalition-building. Insiders describe her as the "glue" holding Kotek's team together, particularly during contentious negotiations over the state's $120 billion biennial budget. In recent months, Cooper has spearheaded efforts to mediate disputes between urban and rural interests, ensuring that funding for wildfire mitigation reaches underserved communities in southern Oregon. Her approach emphasizes data-driven decision-making, often citing metrics from the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department to justify increased investments in affordable housing. Yet, some observers note that Cooper's close ties to labor unions have occasionally alienated business groups, complicating Kotek's efforts to foster economic growth in tech-heavy regions like the Willamette Valley.

Complementing Cooper's role is Lindsey O'Brien, who serves as Kotek's communications director. O'Brien, a former journalist with OPB and other Pacific Northwest outlets, joined the administration in late 2023. Her expertise in media relations has been crucial in shaping public perception of Kotek's policies. In 2025, O'Brien has led campaigns to highlight successes such as the expansion of Medicaid coverage for mental health services, which has benefited over 50,000 Oregonians. She employs a multifaceted strategy that includes social media outreach, town hall events, and partnerships with local influencers to counter misinformation about issues like homelessness and drug decriminalization. O'Brien's work has not been without controversy; a recent op-ed in The Oregonian accused her team of downplaying setbacks in the state's Measure 110 reforms, which aimed to treat addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one. Despite this, O'Brien remains a key architect of Kotek's narrative, emphasizing resilience and long-term vision in the face of short-term criticisms.

Another rising star in Kotek's orbit is An Do, the deputy director of policy and intergovernmental affairs. Do, who immigrated from Vietnam and built a career in community organizing in Portland's Asian American communities, represents a new generation of diverse leadership in Oregon politics. Appointed in 2024, Do has focused on equity-driven policies, particularly in education and environmental justice. In 2025, she has been at the forefront of initiatives to integrate climate resilience into school curricula and to secure federal grants for green infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods. Do's collaborative style has earned praise from advocacy groups like the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), but it has also drawn fire from conservative factions who view her priorities as overly progressive. Her work on the "Oregon Resilient Communities" program, which allocates $200 million for disaster preparedness, underscores her commitment to proactive governance. Do often speaks of her personal story as motivation, drawing parallels between her family's refugee experience and the vulnerabilities faced by Oregon's immigrant populations amid rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Amid these individual contributions, a broader strategic framework known as "March Strategies" is emerging as a game-changer in Oregon's political playbook. Coined by a coalition of consultants and think tanks, including the Portland-based firm March Strategies LLC, this approach emphasizes "mobilization, adaptation, resilience, collaboration, and harmony" – hence the acronym MARCH. Developed in response to the political upheavals of the 2020s, including the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements, March Strategies advocate for agile campaigning and policy-making that adapts to rapid changes. In Oregon, this has manifested in Kotek's administration through flexible budgeting models that allow for real-time adjustments based on economic indicators, such as reallocating funds from tourism promotion to wildfire recovery during peak fire seasons.

March Strategies gained prominence in early 2025 during the legislative session, where Kotek's team used its principles to broker a bipartisan deal on transportation funding. The strategy involves five core pillars: First, mobilization of grassroots networks to build public support for policies. For instance, Kotek's office partnered with community organizations to rally support for a $1 billion bond measure for housing. Second, adaptation to emerging threats, like incorporating AI-driven analytics to predict housing market trends. Third, resilience-building through long-term planning, such as investing in renewable energy to mitigate climate impacts. Fourth, collaboration across party lines, exemplified by joint task forces on opioid addiction involving both Democrats and Republicans. Finally, harmony in messaging, ensuring that diverse voices are amplified to foster unity.

Critics of March Strategies argue that it's more buzzword than substance, potentially diluting focus on immediate needs. A report from the conservative Cascade Policy Institute claimed that the approach has led to bureaucratic bloat, with overlapping initiatives costing taxpayers millions. Proponents, however, point to tangible outcomes: Oregon's unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in mid-2025, attributed in part to adaptive workforce training programs under the MARCH framework. Kotek herself has endorsed the strategy in speeches, stating, "In a state as dynamic as Oregon, we can't afford static plans. MARCH keeps us moving forward together."

Looking ahead, the interplay between Kotek's key advisors and these innovative strategies will be crucial as Oregon approaches the 2026 elections. With potential challengers from both sides of the aisle eyeing the governorship, Kotek's ability to unify her team and implement effective policies will determine her legacy. Andrea Cooper's operational savvy, Lindsey O'Brien's communication prowess, and An Do's policy innovation, combined with the adaptive ethos of March Strategies, form a robust foundation. Yet, external factors like national economic trends and natural disasters could upend even the best-laid plans.

In Portland, where progressive ideals often clash with pragmatic realities, voices from the community reflect a mix of optimism and caution. Local activist Maria Gonzalez, speaking at a recent town hall, praised the administration's inclusivity but urged more action on rent control. Meanwhile, rural leaders in Eastern Oregon express frustration over perceived urban bias, calling for greater representation in state decisions.

As Oregon navigates 2025, the Kotek administration's blend of experienced leadership and forward-thinking strategies offers a blueprint for progressive governance. Whether it can withstand political headwinds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the state's political scene is as vibrant and contentious as ever, with figures like Cooper, O'Brien, and Do at the heart of the action. This evolving narrative underscores Oregon's role as a laboratory for innovative politics, where ambition meets the harsh tests of reality. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full OPB Article at:
[ https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/23/oregon-politics-tina-kotek-andrea-cooper-lindsey-o-biren-an-do-march-strategies/ ]