Chris Gorsek
Bio | Gorsek earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Oregon, and later earned a Ph.D. from Oregon State University. Gorsek teaches at Mt. Hood Community College in addition to holding office in the Oregon State Senate. |
Status and Position | Current State Senator of Oregon |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Democrat, Oregon |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
Campaign Financing | Gorsek has obtained over 1/3rd of his campaign funding from labor/union groups. Source: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/46542/chris-gorsek |
Voting Rights | Stance is unknown. |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | For | Gorsek is a strong supporter of universal healthcare. Since being elected in 2012, Gorsek has sponsored every bill in the Oregon Senate that would provide universal healthcare coverage to all Oregon citizens. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Socialized Healthcare | For | Gorsek has supported universal healthcare efforts, which would be funded through taxes. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Private Healthcare | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| LGBT Rights | For | Gorsek supports LGBT rights. Gorsek sponsored legislation that would require schools to teach LGBT history. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Taxes | For | Gorsek is in favor of taxes. Gorsek has supported greater public funding for education and healthcare, which would come through taxes. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Flat Tax Rate | Unknown | Stance is unknown. Gorsek has supported greater public funding for education and healthcare, which would come through taxes. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Abortion | For | Gorsek is a supporter of the right to obtain an abortion. Gorsek has supported legislation that would require insurance companies to cover contraceptive drugs and abortions. Source: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/bill/23415/60433/46542/chris-gorsek-voted-yea-passage-hb-3391-requires-coverage-for-abortions-and-contraceptives |
| Gun Control | For | Gorsek supports gun control efforts. Gorsek is a sponsor of SB 554, which placed various restrictions on gun ownership for citizens in Oregon. Source: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB0554/Enrolled |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | Stance is unknown. Gorsek is a sponsor of SB 554, which placed various restrictions on gun ownership for citizens in Oregon. Source: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB0554/Enrolled |
| Government Interference | Nuance | Gorsek believes in a public option for healthcare coverage. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Gorsek is supported by the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. Source: https://www.facebook.com/GorsekForOregon/videos/chris-gorsek-defending-a-womans-right-to-choose/188993818679729/ |
| Welfare | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Welfare | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Death Penalty | Against | Gorsek opposes the death penalty. Gorsek has sponsored legislation to amend the Constitution of the State of Oregon in order to prohibit the death penalty. Source: https://trackbill.com/bill/oregon-house-joint-resolution-5-proposes-amendment-to-oregon-constitution-prohibiting-death-penalty/751667/ |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Gorsek believes in exemptions for mandatory sentences. He has sponsored legislation that would allow for early release from prison for medical reasons. Source: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/SB835 |
| Military Spending | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| War on Terrorism | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| United Nations power | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Nationalism | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Free Markets | Nuance | Gorsek believes in government intervention in some cases. Gorsek has fought for tenant rights, union efforts, and expanded healthcare coverage through government legislation. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Brexit | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Affirmative Action | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Government Spending | For | Gorsek supports government spending in order to alleviate the costs of healthcare, housing, and education. Source: https://chrisgorsek.com/issues/ |
| Charter Schools | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Common Core | Against | Gorsek is skeptical of Common Core. Gorsek has sponsored legislation making it easier for parents to opt their children out of Common Core testing. Source: https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2015/06/oregon-governor-signs-common-core-opt-out-bill-into-law/ |
| Clean Energy | For | Gorsek supports clean energy intiatives and legislation. Gorsek is a proponent of clean energy, arguing that it provides economic growth in addition to benefiting the environment. Source: https://www.e2.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/H49_Gorsek.pdf |
| Religious Freedom | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Separation of Church and State | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Slavery Reparations | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Border Control | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| Passenger Profiling | Unknown | Stance is unknown. |
| DACA | Nuance | Gorsek has supported legislation to provide DACA recipients with driver's licenses. Source: https://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2019/HB2015/ |
| Sanctuary Cities | For | Gorsek has voted in favor of legislation that makes Oregon a sanctuary state. Source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senatedemocrats/Documents/PRESS%20RELEASE%20Oregon%20Senate%20Passes%20the%20Sanctuary%20Promise%20Act.pdf |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Nuance | Gorsek has sponsored legislation that would make it illegal for employers to fire employees as a result of a positive drug test for cannabis. Source: https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/oregon-lawmakers-consider-two-dozen-marijuana-bills/article_989afb6b-9a1d-55f8-822a-6744ed7ea75f.html |