Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced she has decided not to create a primary spouse position for her mentally ill wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson.
After extensive public scrutiny, Wilson will no longer serve as First Spouse, a formal position created especially for her by the governor.
At a news conference Wednesday, Kotek said his wife’s responsibilities would be limited to attending ceremonies and speaking to groups of local residents.
Kotek said she is awaiting guidance from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to more clearly define what her wife’s role might be.
His remarks follow more than five weeks of ambiguity and controversy surrounding his wife’s growing stance.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (pictured) announced she has decided not to create a first spouse’s office for her mentally ill wife, despite public scrutiny.
For now, Kotek (pictured right) said his wife Aimee Kotek Wilson’s (pictured left) responsibilities will be limited to ceremonial appearances and listening to groups of residents.
Kotek (pictured left) said she is awaiting guidance from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to more clearly define the long-term role of her wife (pictured right).
“I take responsibility for not being more thoughtful in my approach to exploring the role of the first spouse,” Kotek said in a statement.
“I’m sorry for how this conversation between my office and you started.”
Except for staff members delegated to him for formal responsibilities, Kotek said Wilson would not have a chief of staff or directly manage other employees.
Meliah Masiba, whom Kotek hired temporarily last month to study the possibility of creating the Office of the First Spouse, will remain in her position.
According to Masiba’s job description, she oversees Wilson’s programs, plans public engagement activities and represents Wilson at local, state and federal events, among other duties akin to those of a chief of staff. cabinet.
Masiba, who earns $144,000 a year, was named as the first lady’s chief of staff in documents announcing her transfer from the Department of Administrative Services to the governor’s office, according to emails obtained by the governor’s office last week .
Yasmin Solorio, who has been the first lady’s organizer since last year, will take a new position in the governor’s office, Kotek confirmed.
“Until we know more (from the Ethics Commission), the first lady will continue to accompany me and attend events representing the governor’s office, such as tribal visits and ceremonies, and she will listen to Oregonians on the issues that matter most to them, especially in the area of mental health and addiction,” Kotek said.
Wilson announced in March that she was in recovery from alcoholism.
Wilson’s comment comes as news organizations question his new role in Kotek’s administration, which includes a state-funded security detail (Photo: Kotek at press conference Wednesday)
The couple is seen with Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff
Wilson announced in March that she was in recovery from alcoholism, but did not specify what type of mental illness she lives with, as reported by Oregon Live.
“I am sharing this information about myself now, and have done so in the past, in the hope that it will make a difference and reduce the stigma,” Wilson said in a statement.
“Far too often, individuals remain silent about their experiences because of shame, pain and fear…And that’s why it’s so important to me to do my part to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and mental health.”
News organizations are questioning Kotek Wilson’s new role in his wife’s administration, which includes serving as security while she attends events on the governor’s behalf. Funds to finance this additional security were initially supposed to come from the existing governor’s budget.
The governor’s wife, who previously worked as a social worker, reportedly attended some weekly policy meetings on mental health and substance abuse initiatives.
Wilson also participated in most of Kotek’s meetings with mental health and substance abuse providers on the topic.
Additionally, three of Kotek’s top aides, including his chief of staff, left his office due to tensions with Wilson.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission revealed in March that it had received a Kotek-related complaint and had opened a preliminary review of the complaint.
The committee will vote later on whether to open an investigation into the matter.
DailyMail.com has contacted the governor’s office for comment on this story.
Questions about Kotek’s inclusion of Wilson in his administration come after former Gov. John Kitzhaber and his fiancee Cylvia Hayes were accused of ethical issues.
The commission will vote later on whether to open an investigation into the matter.
Hayes played an active role in Kitzhaber’s third term, attending meetings, communicating with state officials and helping him promote environmental and clean energy policies.
At the same time, she carries out consulting work with several organizations involved in similar policies.
Kitzhaber was forced to respond to reports that Hayes received $118,000 over two years for a fellowship with a green energy group — money that may not have been reported on her taxes.
Hayes ultimately agreed to pay $44,000 for ethics violations.
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