Betsy Johnson on new role at OHSU and more

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A lifelong Oregonian, entrepreneur and aviator, former state senator Betsy Johnson has a new job: an appointment to the OHSU Board of Directors.

If her name sounds familiar, it may be because she ran for governor in 2022. Johnson left the Democratic Party to run as an independent. The race was ultimately won by current Gov. Tina Kotek with about 47% of the vote, to Republican Christine Drazan’s 44% of the vote and about 9% of the vote to Johnson. Although it was less than 10% of the vote, there’s no question Johnson’s presence made a difference in the race, as her votes could have swung the election.

Now, Gov. Kotek has appointed Johnson to the OHSU Board of Directors, at a time when Phil and Penny Knight have pledged $2 billion to the Knight Cancer Institute.

Johnson joined Eye on Northwest Politics to talk about upcoming challenges for OHSU, her thoughts on the special session on transportation that just wrapped up, her thoughts on the Trump administration’s moves to bring in National Guard troops and more.

Watch the full interview in the player above.