Oregon Unemployment Rate Remains at Record Low Levels, Although It’s Now Higher Than the National Rate

A booming economy will make challenger Knute Buehler's task even harder in the governor's race.

Bison Coffeehouse (Abby Gordon)
By Nigel Jaquiss

The state of Oregon released employment data today showing the state's job market remains tight.

“For 17 consecutive months the rate has been at or near 4.1 percent, its lowest level since comparable records began in 1976,” the Oregon Employment Department said in a statement. “The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent in May, from 3.9 percent in April.”
That’s good news for Oregonians, of course, and good news for incumbent politicians, particularly incumbent Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat who is running for re-election.
Brown’s chief opponent in the November governor’s race, state Rep. Knute Buehler (R-Bend) has signaled he will attack Brown’s approach to taxes and the economy.
“I’m running for Governor to help those uncertain Oregonians – those who have been left behind, left out or lost hope in the future,” Buehler says on his website.
That’s an easier argument for voters to latch onto when fewer of them have jobs.

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