Oregon Governor's Race a Dead Heat: Rating Shifts to Lean Democrat as 44-Year Democratic Streak Is Tested
Oregon's governor's race remains a dead heat with three weeks to go. Two new polls show Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger state Sen. Christine Drazan within the margin of error: a DHM Research poll commissioned by The Oregonian has Kotek ahead by 2 points (margin of error 4.2 points), while an internal poll released by the Kotek campaign to Oregon Public Broadcasting has her up by 4.
Fox News Power Rankings recently shifted the race from Likely Democrat to Lean Democrat. Drazan lost to Kotek by fewer than four points in 2022, returned to the legislature, and now seeks a rematch; the Republican Governors Association is investing in the contest. A Drazan win would end a Republican losing streak in Oregon gubernatorial elections stretching back more than four decades.
The campaigns are running on contrasting frames: Drazan focuses on housing affordability, homelessness, taxes, schools and the cost of living, arguing Oregon needs change, while Kotek's campaign emphasizes pushing back against federal policy affecting the Oregon Health Plan and food assistance. Kotek's communications director said voters are moving toward the governor as they hear more about both candidates; a Drazan consultant responded that it took the opponent five months to field a poll showing her ahead.
Oregon backed the Democratic presidential nominee by 14 points in 2024, but its governor's races have traditionally been far closer. This report states the polling facts without taking a political position.
Sources: Fox News; OPB, via Seattle Red
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 俄勒冈州议会大厦（塞勒姆），公有领域，摄影：M.O. Stevens（Wikimedia Commons）
