Fox News Shifts Oregon Governor Race to Lean Democrat as Drazan Presses 2022 Rematch
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 12
Fox News Shifts Oregon Governor Race to Lean Democrat as Drazan Presses 2022 Rematch
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 12
Summary
Fox News Power Rankings moved Oregon's 2026 governor race from Likely Democrat to Lean Democrat, signaling a tighter contest between Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican Christine Drazan.
Homelessness, housing, taxes, schools and the cost of living are driving the shift, giving Republicans an opening in a state they have not won at the gubernatorial level in more than 40 years.
Polls now show a margin-of-error race after Drazan lost to Kotek by less than 4 points in 2022, even though Kamala Harris carried Oregon by 14 points in the 2024 presidential election.
Drazan is trying to localize the race around Oregon's economy and street disorder, while Kotek's campaign is tying her to President Donald Trump, who remains deeply unpopular in the state.
The rematch is unfolding despite a difficult national climate for Republicans, with Drazan saying the Republican Governors Association is investing even as Kotek retains a significant fundraising edge.