Politics
America First Conservative James Hieb Seeks To Fend Off Primary Challenge From RINO Opponent
Oregon State Rep. James Hieb — an America First Republican and veteran — is seeking to fend off a primary challenge from a challenger who has backed a number of left-wing policies in recent years.
Hieb is facing a primary challenge from Christine Drazan, who represented Oregon’s 39th District from 2019-2022. She went on to secure the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, though she ultimately came up short against Democratic nominee Tina Kotek.
Drazan had hoped that her concessions to the left would help her in the quest to flip the blue state. During the George Floyd riots that caused more than $2 billion in property damage and left 19 people dead, then-Rep. Drazan echoed Black Lives Matter rhetoric in an X post.
“Silence can be hurtful and there is too much pain already. I support an end to racism and all forms of abuse of power. Black lives matter and I will not simply serve as a silent ally for equality,” she wrote. “Power in all forms must be accountable, limited and responsive to Oregonians.”
Far-left extremists frequently claimed that “silence is violence” during the riots, insinuating that anyone who did not stand with them was racist.
Drazan was also quick to back left-wing narratives following the January 6 Capitol protests. “Restore order. Protect public safety. Secure the chambers. Secure the Capitol. Violence and destruction of public property is not peaceful protest,” she wrote. “We are a country of laws and they must be upheld.”
More than 1,400 Americans have had their homes raided by armed FBI teams before receiving lengthy prison sentences for non-violent trespassing misdemeanors. The Biden DOJ has vowed to arrest at least 2,000 Americans in connection with the minor disturbance. For contrast, the DOJ has expressed no interest in pursuing left-wing rioters who attacked federal courthouses and even stormed the White House.
In Oregon itself, several far-left rioters who firebombed a federal courthouse escaped without charges. More than 99% of charges against Black Lives Matter rioters were dropped while Trump supporters continue to be hunted for trespassing more than three years later.
Drazan once again joined the left in 2021 when she voted in favor of the “Menstrual Dignity Act,” a bill that required Oregon schools to place tampons in boys’ bathrooms. She also dismissed questions over the integrity of the 2020 election — a race that saw an unprecedented number of unverified mail-in ballots — during her bid for governor in 2022.
“When it comes to this issue, Joe Biden is our president today, and in Oregon he absolutely won Oregon by 15 points,” Drazan said. “I have confidence in Oregon, we have got to continue to improve vote-by-mail … We must do more to protect our elections.”
Oregon Republican Governor Candidate and Chief RINO Christine Drazan says it’s time for all of us to move on from the 2020 election. 👎👎👎👎👎#OregonPrimary #Election2022 pic.twitter.com/t83qcsWxfE
— HEATHER C. (@Heatherc_77) April 19, 2022
Hieb has pointed to his record as an America First conservative throughout the primary campaign. “There’s only one candidate in this race who will stand for our true conservative values,” he wrote in an X post on Wednesday. “Putting Christine Drazan back in the legislature will just add to the career politician roster and be more of the same.”
“As the left continues to go left, Oregon can’t afford its Republicans to continue going with them. Clackamas County wants a Republican, like James Hieb, to stand strong against the left’s agenda,” Hieb continued.
There's only one candidate in this race who will stand for our true conservative values.
Putting Christine Drazan back in the legislature will just add to the career politician roster and be more of the same.
As the left continues to go left, Oregon can't afford its… pic.twitter.com/SRxudPX7as
— James Hieb (@JamesHiebHD51) May 1, 2024
The primary election is currently slated for May 21.