Brad Martin, the long-serving director of the Democratic Party of Oregon (DPO), has announced his decision to leave the position he has held for 12 years.
In a message shared with party insiders, Martin expressed his gratitude, stating that it had been a great honor to serve both the party and the constituents of Oregon.
He stated, ‘Words are inadequate to describe the great honor I have felt for having the opportunity to serve you and this party. I’m deeply grateful to all Oregon Democrats for making the party the success it is today.’
Martin’s leadership witnessed significant changes within the DPO, transforming it into a key player during election years by acting as a conduit for campaign funding.
In the 2022 election cycle alone, the DPO raised and spent nearly $5 million, a figure that doubled the amounts raised and spent in both 2014 and 2018.
In contrast, the Oregon Republican Party raised approximately $1.7 million in the same election year.
The DPO’s fundraising initiatives are bolstered by the support of the state’s congressional delegation and statewide officials, who work together and collaborate with major benefactors like public employee unions.
This coordinated approach has proven effective in a state where registered Democrats surpass registered Republicans by about 10 percentage points, allowing the party to maintain control over the Legislature and all statewide elected offices, along with seven of the eight congressional seats.
However, Martin’s tenure was not without its challenges.
The Democratic Party was involved in a significant controversy in 2022 following the mishandling of a $500,000 donation from Nishad Singh, a former senior executive at the now-defunct cryptocurrency firm FTX.
Initially reported as coming from a Nevada financial institution, this contribution led to investigations by both the secretary of state and the Oregon Department of Justice.
While the Secretary of State’s Office imposed a fine for the DPO’s failure to disclose the actual donor in a timely manner, the DOJ ultimately found no charges warranted against Singh for his falsely attributed donation.
In light of FTX’s bankruptcy in November 2022, federal prosecutors sought to retrieve the $500,000 donation, arguing it was made with misappropriated client funds.
This development left the DPO with a significant shortfall, which was subsequently covered by Oregon’s senior elected officials using their own campaign resources.
Reflecting on Martin’s leadership, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden praised his contributions and tenure at the DPO, noting, ‘I thank Brad for his stellar service and outstanding leadership this past 12 years that leaves the DPO in a clear position of strength going forward.’
Wyden emphasized that Martin had excelled in measurable success in elections, with Democratic candidates consistently winning at multiple levels across Oregon during his time.
As the DPO begins its search for a new leader, Deputy Director Candy Emmons will step in as the interim executive director to ensure a smooth transition.
Martin’s legacy will undoubtedly be felt as the Democratic Party of Oregon continues to navigate the political landscape.
image source from：https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2025/05/24/longtime-democratic-party-of-oregon-director-steps-down/
