Portland real estate investor Jeff Swickard gave $100,000 to Gov. Tina Kotek’s reelection campaign in a contribution disclosed Oct. 6, making it one of her largest donations of the year as she raises money for another term. Swickard, a Nevada resident who operates 54 auto dealerships, gave Kotek $50,000 in September 2025. His latest contribution is his largest in Oregon, according to campaign finance records. Kotek’s campaign had raised $13.5 million in 2026 by the time of the disclosure. Swickard has also become a prominent downtown property owner, acquiring buildings including the U.S. Bancorp Tower, known as Big Pink, and Park Avenue West. His growing role in the city’s real estate market is now accompanied by substantial political giving: aside from the new Kotek donation, he has contributed more than $220,000 this year to Oregon candidates and political action committees. Last month, Swickard gave $150,000 to United for Portland Action Fund, the political arm of the Portland Metro Chamber. The chamber committee’s spending and endorsements can shape local political contests, while Kotek’s campaign operates statewide. Swickard said he wants his donations to help elect people who care about the city and the people they serve. He also wrote that business, labor, government, nonprofits and neighborhoods all have a stake in Oregon’s success, adding that people can listen to one another and seek common ground despite disagreements. The donations underscore how major individual contributors can play a significant role in Oregon campaigns. The disclosed amounts establish the scale of Swickard’s political activity, but do not by themselves indicate what positions or policies he expects recipients to support.