The crop of candidates in the Republican primary gubernatorial election on May 19 has become crowded, with at least a dozen having filed as of Jan. 28. The frontrunners include state senator Christine Drazan, representative Ed Diehl, former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley, and Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell.
Drazan, who also ran in 2022, lost to Governor Tina Kotek, who will be running for re-election. She announced her candidacy in October. Drazan’s campaign reported raising $1 million last year.
“We are going to make Oregon the #1 state in the nation to start a business, to raise a family, and get a world class education,” Drazan’s campaign announcement said.
Diehl, a state representative whose district includes East Salem, entered the race recently, on Jan. 21. He may be able to ramp up organizing and fundraising quickly. Diehl has been known recently for leading efforts to repeal Oregon’s proposed gas tax hikes, gathering more than 200,000 signatures to trigger a referendum and get the issue on the ballot this November.
“The time for change has arrived, Oregon,” according to a post on Diehl’s Facebook page announcing the run. “We’re taking our state back one bold, decisive step at a time.”
Dudley, the latest entrant to the field, also ran for governor in 2010, but lost to a previous Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber. Still, Dudley came closer than any Republican to winning the election since Oregon elected its last Republican governor in 1982, losing to Kitzhaber by 1.5 percentage points.
Dudley has name recognition from his basketball career, as well as from his previous campaign. And, he could have access to a large amount of campaign cash.
“I love Oregon, and even though we have some serious problems, there are solutions, and I believe our best days are ahead of us,” said a post on the Dudley’s campaign’s Facebook page, “However, in order to solve these challenges, the empty promises, the name calling, finger pointing and fear mongering that has solved nothing must stop.
Bethell, a county commissioner of Marion County, which includes Salem, also entered the race last year, during which her campaign raised $168,000.
Bethell and her husband also run a plumbing business in Salem. According to a post on her campaign website: “While others debate theory, I’ve balanced budgets, negotiated contracts, and kept public safety systems funded. I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with wildfire survivors, addiction counselors, and small-town mayors. I’ve fought for housing and infrastructure projects that matter to both working families and small businesses.”
Also in the race is David Medina, a conservative influencer who was convicted for entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but was pardoned by President Donald Trump.
The last day to change party affiliation to be able to vote in a primary in Oregon is April 28. Primary ballots go out the next day.