Paul J. Romero, Jr. Announces Candidacy for Oregon Governor in 2026, Emphasizing Constitutional Principles Over Party Politics

• 

  Newsroom

• November 26, 2025

• Newsroom

Paul J. Romero, Jr. Announces Candidacy for Oregon Governor in 2026, Emphasizing Constitutional Principles Over Party Politics

Navy veteran and project-management professional Paul J. Romero, Jr. has officially announced his candidacy for Governor of Oregon in the 2026 election, positioning himself as a representative of “We the People” and calling for a shift from party-driven politics to governance rooted in constitutional principles and fiscal accountability.

Romero, a registered Republican, stated that his campaign is grounded in the belief that the U.S. Constitution and the Rule of Law must come before political machinery, donor agendas, or partisan pressure. He argues that Oregon’s current political climate — across multiple administrations and parties — has moved away from the needs of ordinary citizens.

Although running as a Republican, Romero describes himself as “not a politician but a project manager,” asserting that government, when run with discipline and constitutional limits, should operate like any well-managed business: on time and under budget. He says his professional background equips him to audit, repair, and rebuild systems he believes have broken down across the state.

Background and Motivation

Romero is a U.S. Navy veteran, previously holding a Top Secret/SCI clearance, and says his oath to defend the Constitution remains central to his public service philosophy. He has also served as a substitute teacher, and is a father and recent grandfather — experiences he credits with giving him insight into what he describes as systemic failures, special-interest influence, and loss of transparency in state institutions.

According to Romero, Oregonians “are tired of being taxed, lied to, abused, and ignored,” and he argues that leaders from both major parties have failed to uphold their commitments. He ties many of the state’s economic struggles to federal restrictions on natural resource industries, claiming that Oregon previously thrived from timber revenue that funded schools, infrastructure, and local business.

Policy Platform

Romero’s proposed economic agenda includes:

• Eliminating the state income tax

• Reducing corporate income taxes

• Abolishing the estate/inheritance tax

• Introducing a modest luxury sales tax, aimed at replacing what he describes as Oregon’s “hidden” taxation system

• Establishing a more competitive economic environment to support families and businesses

He also calls for a rapid, comprehensive audit of the state budget and general fund to identify waste, fraud, and inefficiencies.

In addition, Romero intends to pursue structural government reforms through constitutional amendments, including:

• Creating the office of Lt. Governor

• Making the Superintendent of Oregon Schools an elected position, rather than a gubernatorial appointment

• Returning elections to paper ballots, with mail-in voting restricted to citizens who cannot physically reach voting centers, such as deployed military personnel or those with mobility limitations

Campaign Vision

Romero states that Oregon needs truth, transparency, and constitutional accountability, rather than more partisan divisions. His campaign has published a detailed policy framework, titled “Contract with Oregonians,” available at www.romerofororegon.com.

He calls on voters to support what he describes as a grassroots movement aimed at restoring Oregon’s prosperity, strengthening families, and protecting future generations. His message emphasizes returning control of state government to the people of Oregon and revitalizing what he calls “one of the most beautiful and desirable states in the country.”