Christine Drazan won the Republican primary for Oregon governor, setting up a 2026 rematch against incumbent Democrat Tina Kotek. Drazan defeated State Rep. Ed Diehl and former NBA player Chris Dudley. This is the third time in state history the same two candidates will face off. Democrats plan to link Drazan to Trump, while Republicans hope to win the governorship for the first time since 1982.
Drazan Republican primary victory
- ▪The Associated Press called the race in Christine Drazan's favor shortly before 9 p.m. on May 19, 2026
- ▪After her win was announced, Christine Drazan asked supporters to reach out to non-Republican voters
- ▪State Senator Christine Drazan won the Republican primary for Oregon's 2026 governor's race on May 19, 2026
Kotek Drazan rematch setup
- ▪The 2026 election will be the third time in Oregon history that the same candidates from both major parties face each other in consecutive gubernatorial races
- ▪Christine Drazan's primary win sets up a 2026 general election rematch against incumbent Democratic Governor Tina Kotek
- ▪In 2022, Christine Drazan lost to Tina Kotek by a few percentage points in a three-way race that also included nonaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson
Republican primary competitor results
- ▪Chris Dudley and Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell both conceded the race to Christine Drazan
- ▪Some supporters of Republican candidate Chris Dudley expressed hesitation about immediately supporting Christine Drazan
- ▪State Rep. Ed Diehl finished in second place in the Republican primary, while former NBA player Chris Dudley finished third
Drazan political career background
- ▪Before being elected to the state House in 2018, Christine Drazan worked as a legislative staffer and lobbyist
- ▪Christine Drazan, 53, is a Republican state senator from Canby who previously served as the House Republican caucus leader
Democratic Trump association attacks
- ▪Nathan Soltz, chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, said Christine Drazan's nomination proved "Trump was on the ballot in Oregon."
- ▪Christine Drazan has stated her focus is on addressing the cost of living and seeks to distance herself from what she calls "divisive" national politics
- ▪The Democratic Party of Oregon plans to link Christine Drazan to the Trump administration during the general election
Oregon Republican gubernatorial history
- ▪Oregon has not elected a Republican governor since 1982, when Vic Atiyeh won reelection
- ▪The Republican party sees an opportunity to win based on voter discontent with Governor Kotek's handling of issues like homelessness and the economy
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