What happened: After a strong start to her first term in 2023, Gov. Tina Kotek saw five senior aides, including her chief of staff, depart abruptly in the spring. The departures came as a surprise in Salem because those who left were highly regarded and loyal. As WW and other media probed the cause of the untimely exodus, the reason became clear: It was conflict over the role of Kotek’s wife, first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. Emails obtained by WW showed that Kotek Wilson, a former social worker, took part in staff policy meetings and personnel decisions despite having no official role in her wife’s administration. WW reported that the first lady also met with mental health leaders seeking to shape state policy and pharmaceutical reps hoping to do business with the state.