A Republican has not occupied Oregon’s governor’s mansion since 1987. Fast forward to 2022 and former state representative Christine Drazan is in a three-way race that could flip the Beaver State red.
“Oregon deserves better. I’m Christine Drazan. If you’re looking for a third term of Kate Brown, you got two great choices: Tina Kotek and Betsy Johnson,” the candidate said in a campaign ad.
Drazan continues to take jabs at her opponents, Democrat Tina Kotek and Democrat-turned-Independent Betsy Johnson. Drazan’s campaign has tied both candidates to the outgoing Gov. Kate Brown.
Kotek and Johnson running for the same office could split the liberal vote and make it possible for Drazan to pull off a political upset in a predominantly left-leaning state.
According to Drazan’s website, her roadmap for Oregon includes:
- Investing in law enforcement.
- Funding addiction and mental health services.
- Cutting state taxes.
- Creating job growth.
- Expanding school choice.
- Tackling chronic homelessness.
“There is no compassion, there is no dignity in allowing people to live in conditions that are unsafe for them and certainly aren’t acceptable for communities and frankly the neighborhoods that they’re in,” Drazan said during an interview on Fox News.
In September, Real Clear Politics and Cook Political Report shifted the Oregon gubernatorial race from “Leans Dem” to a “Toss-Up,” giving the GOP its best shot at winning the office in 35 years.
Despite the change in the polls, some political analysts believe Drazan may have a more significant challenge than her opponents – winning Trump Republicans because of her stance on the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“As it relates to the 2020 election, there’s never been an issue with that for me. Donald Trump did not win. Joe Biden did. He is our president,” Drazan said when asked by Kotek during a debate hosted by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.
However, Nike co-founder Phil Knight is now backing Drazan after previously donating $3.75 million to Johnson who has fallen behind in the polls. Oregon Public Broadcast reported Knight has cut Drazan a check for $1 million to help get her to Salem.
