‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon enters an election year with big political questions

Last year was a tumultuous one in Oregon politics.

The city of Portland had an entirely new government and mayor. The U.S. president started talking a lot about Portland and mobilized members of the National Guard to the state. And the “big beautiful bill” blew an $890-million dollar hole in Oregon’s budget.

Just a few days into 2026, it appears another rocky year is in the cards.

On the latest episode of “OPB Politics Now,” reporters Lauren Dake, Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss the major stories to come and how 2026 already began with Democratic leaders in Portland and Salem struggling to find their footing.

Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

This week’s show was a live stream edition. Here’s the video version.