TEDxPortland Apologizes For Unannounced Betsy Johnson Appearance

PORTLAND, OR — TEDxPortland organizers apologized Saturday night for hosting independent candidate for governor Betsy Johnson onstage earlier in the day. Her appearance, which had not been announced ahead of time, was part of an event marking TEDxPortland's 10th anniversary.

"Having a potential political candidate for public office on our stage this morning was not the right decision," organizers said in a statement. "We apologize for the error in judgment and the distraction this mount created in what was otherwise an engaging and celebratory day for ten years of TEDxPortland."

Organizers said that their mission is to offer a chance for people to hear "discussion on a wide range of topics and current issue that matter to the City of Portland and beyond.

"We remain committed to this mission and have learned from this mistake today."

The apology came after organizers were heavily criticized for having Johnson participate while not inviting the other candidates.

The move may bring trouble for TEDxPortland, which is a nonprofit. Internal Revenue Service rules prohibit nonprofits from showing preferential treatment to a political candidate.

Johnson, a former state senator who left the Democratic Party late last year to mount her independent campaign for governor, had long been considered the most conservative member of the Democratic caucus in the legislature. She has received an A rating from the NRA and has voted against gun control legislation.

Johnson was originally greeted warmly. She talked about the danger of ignoring the need to reform the state's which she described, using a euphemism, as really bad.

Things took a turn when Johnson told the crowd that school safety issues should be left to localities and not the state legislature, adding that "people in this country are going to own guns."

People reacted with boos and shouts that she explain her stance on guns, citing the recent massacres in Buffalo and Uvalde.

In a thread on Twitter, Johnson defended her appearance and thanked people.

She said that she "loyal only to the people, not the partisan extremes. While the vast majority of people were supportive, a few folks tried to shut down productive dialogue. That’s unfortunate, but I remain undaunted.

"To keep this country from coming apart at the seams, we must seek to understand those we disagree with. Forcing your views on others destroys trust and any sense of community."