A towering new monument debuted this week in Portland’s Kenton neighborhood, and city leaders say it commemorates one of Oregon’s most “remarkable recent achievements.” Standing a proud 31 feet tall in the town square, the statue honors Governor Tina Kotek’s impressive climb into the national rankings as the sixth most unpopular governor in America, according to a recent poll.

The statue, modeled loosely after Kenton’s famous Paul Bunyan landmark, depicts Kotek standing confidently with hands folded while gazing out over Portland traffic, as if surveying the statewide approval numbers below. Officials say the monument is meant to celebrate what they’re calling “a historic moment in Oregon political performance.”

“Getting into the national top ten for gubernatorial unpopularity is no small feat,” said one city spokesperson during the unveiling ceremony. “There are fifty governors in this country competing for that list. Cracking the top six takes dedication, perseverance, and a very special relationship with voters.”

The ranking comes from a Morning Consult poll that placed Kotek sixth nationwide in disapproval ratings. While some governors around the country have struggled to make the leaderboard, Portland leaders say Oregon’s governor has shown “consistent effort” in keeping the state competitive.

“Some governors bounce around in the rankings,” said a local attendee who stopped by to take photos of the statue. “But staying in the top ten takes real commitment.”

The monument quickly drew crowds curious to see Portland’s newest addition to its already colorful collection of public art. Visitors wandered around the statue snapping selfies and reading the plaque at its base, which proudly notes the governor’s polling milestone.

Local residents say the statue fits perfectly with Portland’s tradition of unusual landmarks.

“This city loves weird statues,” one onlooker said. “We’ve got Bigfoot murals, weird doughnut art, and now this. Honestly, it feels right at home.”

Some critics questioned whether celebrating the ranking was the right message to send. City officials responded by explaining the statue is meant to “embrace the moment” with Portland’s signature sense of humor.

“In this town we don’t hide from things,” one organizer said. “If Oregon is going to land in the top ten of something, we’re going to celebrate it.”

Officials confirmed the statue will remain in Kenton for the foreseeable future, though there are already discussions about adding a small digital display at the base that updates the governor’s national ranking in real time.

“If she climbs any higher,” the spokesperson added, “we’ll probably need to make the statue even bigger.”