Candidates Debate as Oregon’s Three-Way Race for Governor Tightens to a Toss-Up

With the Oregon governor’s race now rated a “toss-up” by both the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics and the Cook Political Report, three candidates are busy staking out what they hope will be their path to victory in November.

On Sept. 27, Democrat Tina Kotek, Republican Christine Drazan, and non-affiliated candidate Betsy Johnson answered questions from residents in the state’s central region before Oregon State University-Cascades students and staff.

In a state that hasn’t elected a Republican for more than 40 years, former Oregon House Minority Drazan is running as an agent of change.

“After a decade of one-party rule, this state is a mess,” said Drazan in her opening.

Independent Stance

“My opponents represent the status quo and would follow Kate Brown’s leadership. We need a new direction for our state.”

A seasoned progressive, Kotek served in the state legislature for 14 years, including nine years as House Speaker.

“We have real challenges: housing and homelessness, an addiction and overdose epidemic, and threats against our democracy right here in our state,” she opened. “We have attacks against our freedoms and gun violence. We need leaders who can solve problems.”

A straight-talking timber heiress and private pilot, Betsy Johnson served as a state senator from 2007 to 2021. She left the Democrat party last year to mount a third-party run.

“I’m not captive to the far left or the far right,” she said. “As an independent governor, I’m the only one who can actually crack down on crime and homelessness and protect a woman’s right to choose.”

The winner will have her work cut out for her.

After two terms under Gov. Kate Brown—a Democrat who polls as the least popular governor in the nation—Oregon is a hot mess.

The state has a drug epidemic and a homeless crisis. Crime