Oregon Secretary of State and former DDSD School Board member Shemia Fagan resigns

Posted May 23, 2023

By Alicia Pacheco Juarez

News Editor

Oregon Secretary of State and former DDSD Board member Shemia Fagan’s resigned on May 2 following her known contract work with La Mota Cannabis Dispensary while connected to the state’s official financial examination agency that regulates cannabis.

The dispensary was previously in the news for issues in back taxes owed the state departments of Revenue and regulatory issues with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission according to Your Oregon News. 

Her resignation was quickly accepted by fellow democrats and republicans. While Oregon’s current governor Tina Kotek is focused on the resignation symbolizing the rebuilding of the state’s trust with its governors. 

Kotek had released a statement about Fagan’s decision to step down. 

“This morning, Secretary Fagan informed me of her decision to resign," Kotek stated. "I support this decision. It is essential that Oregonians have trust in their government. I believe this is a first step  in restoring that trust. During the upcoming appointment process, my office will do everything possible to support the hardworking staff in the Secretary of State’s Office and ensure this will not disrupt the May 16 election.” 

Governor Kotek had started the selecting process towards a replacement for the remainder of Fagan’s term, which was to end in January 2025. But as of now a new Deputy Secretary of State has been chosen, Cheryl Myers, democrat and woman of Korean decent will become the second person of color and first from the Asian Pacific Islander community to serve as Oregon’s Secretary of State was elected.

  Fagan released the incriminating copy on May 2 of the contract she had with Veriede Holding LLC. Whose owners are La Mota co-founders, Rosa Cazares and Aaron Mitchell. According to the Willamette Week, Fagan was being paid $10,000 monthly by the company and was then offered the additional bonus of $30,000 for cannabis licenses obtained in states outside of Oregon and New Mexico. Along with this, she released a statement to Oregon.gov. 

“While I am confident that the ethics investigation will show that I followed the state’s legal and ethical guidelines in trying to make ends meet for my family, it is clear that my actions have become a distraction from the important and critical work of the Secretary of State’s office. Protecting our state’s democracy and ensuring faith in our elected leaders – these are the reasons I ran for this office. They are also the reasons I will be submitting my resignation today. It has been a true honor to serve the people of Oregon. At this time, I believe it is in the best interest of our state for me to focus on my children, my family, and personal reflection so that the Secretary of State staff can continue to offer the exemplary customer service Oregonians deserve.”