Courtney, Kotek, and Wheeler call for Kitzhaber to resign

Kari Chisholm

Senate President Peter Courtney, Speaker Tina Kotek, and Treasurer Ted Wheeler have called for Governor John Kitzhaber to resign.

Yesterday was -- and today has been -- as the Statesman Journal's Dick Hughes put it, "the strangest day in Oregon politics".

As the media drumbeat about Governor Kitzhaber and First Lady Cylvia Hayes continued, Secretary of State Kate Brown abruptly flew home yesterday.

Rumors of an impending resignation swirled. It seemed inevitable. And then, a reversal. A statement from the Governor that he would not in fact resign.

And now, Democratic leaders are calling for his resignation. It is bizarre that it has come to this.

Personally, I have struggled to write an item about the Governor, the First Lady and the controversies. As soon as I figure out what I want to say, new developments happen, and everything changes.

So, I leave it to you. What do you think? Should the governor resign? Or should he stick it out?

By Kari Chisholm Feb. 12, 2015