LA PINE, OR. — A formal petition to recall Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has been submitted to the state Elections Division, citing allegations of failed leadership and violations of her oath of office. The prospective petition, filed on July 27, 2025, by William Minnix of La Pine, marks the latest attempt by a citizen to challenge the state’s executive leadership through Oregon’s recall process as outlined in ORS 249.865.
Minnix, who lists himself as a legal resident and a disabled veteran, submitted the required “Prospective Petition – Recall (SEL 350)” form and affirmed his statement under penalty of law. He accuses Governor Kotek of prioritizing the interests of undocumented immigrants over law-abiding Oregonians and claims that her administration has neglected key constituencies such as veterans, low-income families, and victims of crime.
In his official statement, Minnix argues that Kotek’s policies have created a burden for Oregonians by allegedly enabling federal overreach, failing to comply with presidential executive orders, and contributing to the loss of federal funding. He claims the governor’s refusal to enforce federal mandates forces Oregon taxpayers to compensate for funding shortfalls, thereby contributing to financial instability within the state. The petition asserts that this ongoing behavior reflects an abuse of gubernatorial power and a failure to uphold constitutional obligations.
While the statement from Minnix contains strong language and specific accusations, it is important to note that the recall process in Oregon allows any citizen to initiate a recall petition by submitting a written reason for the recall. The accuracy of the allegations is not verified at the time of filing and will not be independently evaluated by the Elections Division unless the matter advances through legal or electoral processes.
The petition form clearly states that any factual information provided must be true. Minnix signed the declaration under that condition, certifying the truthfulness of his claims. The form also confirms that no paid circulators will be involved in collecting signatures, indicating a grassroots-style campaign led by volunteer efforts.
If approved by the Secretary of State’s office, Minnix will be issued official signature sheets. Under Oregon law, he will then have 90 days to gather a minimum number of valid signatures from registered voters — a figure equal to 15 percent of the total votes cast for all candidates in the most recent gubernatorial election. For a governor, this typically means collecting over 280,000 valid signatures, a substantial logistical and political undertaking.
Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat who took office in January 2023, has been at the center of several high-profile policy debates, including housing, homelessness, and public safety. Her tenure has drawn both praise and criticism depending on the political lens through which her decisions are viewed. However, as of this writing, she has not issued a public statement in response to the recall filing.
The state of Oregon has seen multiple recall efforts against public officials over the past decade, but successful recalls — particularly against statewide elected officials — remain rare due to the rigorous signature requirements and time constraints. Nevertheless, this filing indicates ongoing dissatisfaction among certain factions of the electorate and underscores the continued polarization surrounding immigration policy and state-federal relations.
Minnix’s filing was officially recorded by the Oregon Elections Division on July 27, 2025, at 1:18 p.m. The next steps in the process will determine whether the recall campaign gains enough momentum to advance to the ballot, or stalls in the signature-gathering phase like many similar efforts before it. Regardless of outcome, the petition adds to the complex political landscape facing the Kotek administration during the remainder of her term.