President Barack Obama endorsed Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in a video released Thursday, and praised the governor for her role in passing Democratic priorities such as raising the minimum wage and shifting toward renewable energy.

"It's fashionable to complain about political gridlock," Obama said in the video. "But when you look, there are good things going on in America. That's especially true in Oregon, where my friend Kate brown is getting things done."

Obama wrapped up the video by asking Oregonians to vote for Brown, who is running for election this fall to finish the last two years of former Gov. John Kitzhaber's term. Brown became governor in February 2015, after Kitzhaber resigned from office amid allegations of influence peddling. Kitzhaber has maintained he did nothing wrong.

According to a statement from Brown's campaign, "this is the only video message the President has recorded on behalf of any gubernatorial candidate in the 2016 general election."

Among Brown's accomplishments, the president cited her signing of "legislation raising the minimum wage. She's made big investments in career and technical education, so more Oregonians have the skills to earn a good living. And she's the first governor in the country to pass legislation to fully transition to renewable energy."

Obama appeared to be referring to a controversial anti-coal bill that Brown signed into law earlier this year. Although the new law will not fully transition the state to renewable energy, it does require Oregon's two largest utilities, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, to stop paying for out-of-state coal power by 2030 and forces utilities to serve half their customers' demand with sources such as wind, solar and wood-fired power plants by 2040.

Unlike Obama, who has been stymied by Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, Brown has been able to rely upon Democratic majorities in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature to pass priority legislation. That has prompted Republicans to suggest Democrats deserve both credit and blame for the functioning of state government. "If there's ever a state where they don't get the luxury of blaming Republicans, it's this one," House Republican Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, said this week.

Obama signed off by saying, "This election couldn't be more important, and all of us need your voice and your vote to make sure Oregon continues to have real leadership in Kate Brown."

-- Hillary Borrud

503-294-4034; @hborrud