Governor Kotek orders flags to half-staff for Senator Avel Gordly

Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on March 17, 2026, pursuant to the United States Flag Code.

The order honors former State Senator Avel Gordly, who died on February 16, 2026. The governor said Gordly was the first Black woman elected to the Oregon State Senate and recognized her work on civil rights, access to mental health care, public education, and fairness within the criminal justice system.

The source says the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on March 17. The lowered flag period is intended to coincide with a celebration of life being held in Portland.

The source describes the coverage as Oregon public institutions, which indicates a jurisdiction-wide order for public institutions rather than a named county, city, or limited facility list.