New Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Will Continue Death Penalty Moratorium

New Oregon Governor Will Continue Death Penalty Moratorium
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in Salem, Oregon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. In her first press conference since she became governor this week, Brown said sheâd continue her predecessorâs moratorium on the death penalty. (AP Photo/Jonathan J. Cooper)
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in Salem, Oregon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. In her first press conference since she became governor this week, Brown said sheâd continue her predecessorâs moratorium on the death penalty. (AP Photo/Jonathan J. Cooper)

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), who took office after her predecessor John Kitzhaber (D) resigned amid allegations of corruption, said she will continue the death penalty moratorium Kitzhaber started.

"There needs to be a broader discussion about fixing the system," Brown said of the death penalty, according to the AP. "Until that discussion, I will be upholding the moratorium imposed by Gov. Kitzhaber."

In Nov. 2011, Kitzhaber announced he would block all executions for the remainder of his time in office.

“I refuse to be a part of this compromised and inequitable system any longer; and I will not allow further executions while I am governor," he said.

Brown was sworn in as governor of Oregon on Feb. 18. She is America's first openly bisexual governor.

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