2026 Oregon gubernatorial election

Last updated

2026 Oregon gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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  Tina Kotek (cropped)1.jpg Christine Drazan in August 2022 (cropped).jpg
Nominee Tina Kotek Christine Drazan
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Working Families Libertarian

Incumbent Governor

Tina Kotek
Democratic



The 2026 Oregon gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Oregon. Democratic incumbent Tina Kotek is seeking a second term. She is being challenged by 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Christine Drazan.

Contents

Primary elections took place on May 19, 2026. [1] Kotek won the Democratic nomination with 84% of the vote, while Drazan won the Republican nomination with 41% of the vote.

This election will mark Oregon's first gubernatorial rematch since 1978.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

  • Forest "Fora" Alexander, rabbi and political activist [4]
  • James Atkinson IV, inventor and 2024 Portland mayoral candidate [5] [4]
  • Donnie Beckwith, businessman [4]
  • David Beem, salesperson [4]
  • Brittany N. Jones, political activist and non-profit founder [6] [4]
  • Cal Kishawi [7] [4]
  • Steve Laible, children's author [4]
  • Tristan Sheppard, volunteer firefighter [8] [4]
  • Miranda Weigler, policy and strategy consultant [4]

Endorsements

Declined to endorse
Labor unions
Political parties & organizations
News publications

Results

Results by county
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Kotek
50-60%
60-70%
70-80%
80-90% 2026 Oregon gubernatorial Democratic primary election results map by county.svg
Results by county
  Kotek
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Democratic primary results [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tina Kotek (incumbent) 385,999 83.6
Democratic Brittany N. Jones13,9393.0
Democratic Forest "Fora" Alexander12,6842.8
Democratic Miranda Weigler10,1612.2
Democratic Tristan Sheppard6,0061.3
Democratic James Atkinson IV5,9021.3
Democratic David Beem4,8631.1
Democratic Steve Laible3,6920.8
Democratic Cal Kishawi2,4220.5
Democratic Donnie Beckwith1,7990.4
Write-in 14,2283.1
Total votes461,695 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Danielle Bethell
Local officials
Ed Diehl
Organizations

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Danielle
Bethell
Ed
Diehl
Christine
Drazan
Chris
Dudley
David
Medina
OtherUndecided
Hoffman Research Group (R) [31] [A] April 23–24, 2026620 (LV)± 3.9%–18%35%14%–8% [b] 25%
Nelson Research [32] April 14–17, 2026515 (LV)± 4.3%2%18%37% [c] 18%7%–18%

Results

Results by county
Drazan
30-40%
40-50%
50-60%
Diehl
30-40%
40-50%
50-60% 2026 Oregon gubernatorial Republican primary election results map by county.svg
Results by county
  Drazan
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Diehl
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
Republican primary results [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Christine Drazan 172,474 40.5
Republican Ed Diehl 140,45833.0
Republican Chris Dudley 71,92916.9
Republican David Medina21,7425.1
Republican Danielle Bethell9,6292.3
Republican Brad Peters1,8270.4
Republican Paul Romero1,6150.4
Republican Kyle Duyck1,5620.4
Republican Robert Neuman6800.2
Republican Martin Ward5390.1
Republican Hope Dalrymple5340.1
Republican DeAngelo Turner3770.1
Republican Wen Waddell3210.1
Republican Tim Youker2480.1
Write-in 1,6220.4
Total votes425,557 100.0

Third-party and independent candidates

Declared

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [34] Lean DOctober 23, 2026
Decision Desk HQ [35] Likely DOctober 23, 2026
Fox News [36] Lean DOctober 20, 2026
Inside Elections [37] Lean DOctober 15, 2026
NBC News [38] Likely DOctober 23, 2026
RealClearPolitics [39] TossupOctober 12, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball [40] Lean DOctober 22, 2026
Silver Bulletin [41] Likely DOctober 23, 2026

Debates

2026 Oregon gubernatorial election debates
No.DateHostModeratorsLinkParticipants
 P Participant   A Absent   N Non-invitee   I Invitee   W Withdrawn
Tina Kotek Christine Drazan
1October 1, 2026 University of Oregon Kendall Bartley [42] PP

Post-primary endorsements

Tina Kotek (D)
Individuals
Labor unions
Newspapers
Organizations
Political organizations
  • Coos County Democrats [69]
  • Deschutes County Democratic Party [70]
  • Democratic Party of Lincoln County [71]
  • Linn County Democrats [72]
  • Tillamook County Democrats [73]
Political parties
State legislators
Christine Drazan (R)
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Political organizations
  • Oregon High School Republicans [86]
  • Young Republicans of Oregon [87]
Political parties
State legislators
  • Alek Skarlatos, Deputy Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives [88]
  • Danielle Bethell, Marion County Commissioner [78]
  • Dwayne Yunker, member of the Oregon House of Representatives for the 3rd district [89]
  • Ed Diehl, member of the Oregon House of Representatives for the 17th district [90]
  • Lucetta Elmer, Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives [91]

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll
aggregation
Dates
administered
Dates
updated
Tina
Kotek (D)
Christine
Drazan (R)
Other/Undecided
[d]
Margin
Silver Bulletin [41] through October 1, 2026October 8, 202645.9%43.9%7.2%Kotek +2.0%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Tina
Kotek (D)
Christine
Drazan (R)
Brett
Smith (G)
Undecided
GBAO (D) [93] [B] October 1–4, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%46%42%6%6%
DHM Research [94] [C] September 24 – October 1, 2026549 (LV)± 4.0%46%44%3%7%
DHM Research [95] [D] September 17–27, 2026915 (LV)± 3.2%46% [e] 47%3%5%
44%46%3%8%
DHM Research [96] [E] September 3–9, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%43%45%4%13%
Public Opinion Strategies (R) [97] [F] June 22–24, 2026600 (RV)± 4.0%44%48%—8%
May 19, 2026Primary elections
Hoffman Research Group (R) [98] [G] May 11–12, 2026603 (LV)± 4.0%45%45%—10%
FM3 Research (D) [99] [H] January 28 – February 4, 20261,065 (LV)± 3.1%45%40%—15%
Hypothetical polling

Tina Kotek vs. Ed Diehl

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Tina
Kotek (D)
Ed
Diehl (R)
Undecided
FM3 Research (D) [99] [H] January 28 – February 4, 20261,065 (A)± 3.1%43%37%20%

Tina Kotek vs. Chris Dudley

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Tina
Kotek (D)
Chris
Dudley (R)
Undecided
Hoffman Research Group (R) [98] [G] May 11–12, 2026603 (LV)± 4.0%44%48%9%
FM3 Research (D) [99] [H] January 28 – February 4, 20261,065 (LV)± 3.1%45%35%20%

Results

2026 Oregon gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Tina Kotek (incumbent)
Republican Christine Drazan
Pacific Green Brett Smith
Write-in
Total votes100.0 N/A

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ "Some other candidate" with 8%
  3. ↑ With voters who lean towards a given candidate
  4. ↑ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  5. ↑ With voters who lean towards a given candidate

Partisan clients

  1. ↑ Poll commissioned by Crosstabs, a podcast that supports Republicans
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Kotek's campaign
  3. ↑ Poll conducted on behalf of The Oregonian
  4. ↑ Poll conducted on behalf of Oregon Public Broadcasting
  5. ↑ Poll conducted on behalf of Grow Oregon
  6. ↑ Poll sponsored by Drazan's campaign
  7. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Dudley's campaign
  8. 1 2 3 Poll commissioned by Charlie Health, an online behavioral health provider

References

  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". National Conference of State Legislatures . May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ Dake, Lauren (November 21, 2025). "Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek inches closer to reelection announcement". Oregon Public Broadcasting . Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Gov. Kotek announces campaign for reelection". KPTV . December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Governor (Democratic primary) | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election • Oregon". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Atkinson, James". Secretary of State, Oregon. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Brittany Jones discusses plan to unseat Gov. Tina Kotek in May's Democratic primary". KOIN. KOIN 6 News. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  7. ↑ Oliver, John (January 6, 2026). "Oregon Governor Hopeful Cal Kishawi Says His Mission Is to "Stand United," Centering Schools, Infrastructure, and Practical Problem-Solving". Grants Pass Tribune . Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Sheppard, Tristan". Secretary of State, Oregon. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announces that she's running for reelection in 2026". KGW. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Governor Tina Kotek announces she will run for re-election, could again face Republican Christine Drazan". KTVZ. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  11. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (December 4, 2025). "Oregon Gov. Kotek announces 2026 reelection bid, setting up Drazan rematch". The Oregonian . Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  12. ↑ Villanueva, Mia (March 4, 2026). "Gov. Kotek loses out on two previous endorsements as 2026 election looms". KOIN.
  13. ↑ "SEIU Members Endorse Governor Tina Kotek!". SEIU503 Local. April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announces reelection bid". OPB. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Endorsements". GIFFORDS. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Oregon Working Families Party, state's largest teachers union decline to endorse in governor's race". Oregon Capital Chronicle. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Our Voter Guide for the May 2026 Primary". Portland DSA. May 7, 2026. Archived from the original on May 7, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  18. ↑ "The Mercury's May 2026 Election Endorsements". Portland Mercury. April 30, 2026. Archived from the original on May 1, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Unofficial Results: 2026 Primary - Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  20. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (October 27, 2025). "Republican Christine Drazan will run for governor in 2026". The Oregonian . Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 Moore, Madeleine (April 27, 2025). "Danielle Bethell, former Keizer chamber official, announces run for governor". Keizertimes . Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  22. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (January 20, 2025). "Oregon Republican who led anti-tax referendum effort will run for governor". The Oregonian . Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  23. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (January 26, 2026). "Former Blazer Chris Dudley will run for Oregon governor, setting up heated Republican primary". oregonlive. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Man charged as Jan. 6 rioter running for Oregon governor". Portland, Oregon: KPTV. January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 "These Republicans running for Oregon governor are raising the most money, readying TV ad blitz". Oregon Live. April 4, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  26. ↑ "AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter is proud to officially endorse Christine Drazan for Oregon Governor". Instagram (AGC Oregon-Columbia). April 16, 2026. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Christine Drazan - Maggie's List". Maggie's List. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Farm Bureau endorses Drazan". Oregon Catalyst. February 17, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Editorial endorsement May 2026: Republicans should choose Christine Drazan for a gubernatorial rematch". The Oregonian . April 26, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  30. ↑ "WW's May 2026 Endorsements: Statewide". Willamette Week. April 29, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  31. ↑ Knopp, Reagan; Iverson, Bryan (April 28, 2026). "EXCLUSIVE: Crosstabs Releases Governor Poll". Crosstabs. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Nelson Research Republican primary poll" (PDF). Nelson Research. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Candidate Information". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  34. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  35. ↑ "2026 Governor Forecast". Decision Desk HQ . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  36. ↑ Numa, Rémy (October 20, 2026). "Fox News Power Rankings: Trump country at a crossroads". Fox News . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  38. ↑ "The race for Congress: 2026 midterms". NBC News . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  39. ↑ "2026 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  40. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Silver, Nate; McKown-Dawson, Eli (October 23, 2026) [August 11, 2026]. "FLIPR 2026 midterm election forecast" . Silver Bulletin . Retrieved October 23, 2026– via Substack.
  42. ↑ "ELECTION 2026: Kotek, Drazan face off in televised debate in Oregon governor's race". KATU. October 1, 2026. Retrieved October 2, 2026– via YouTube.
  43. ↑ Slovic, Beth (October 15, 2026). "One of Portland's biggest music stars weighs in on Oregon governor's race". OregonLive. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  44. ↑ Kavanaugh, Shane (September 30, 2026). "Jane Fonda weighs in on governor's race: The latest on Oregon's 2026 election". OregonLive. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  45. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (October 20, 2026). "Obama weighs in on Oregon governor's race". OregonLive. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Oregon AFSCME 2026 Endorsements". Oregon AFSCME. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  47. ↑ "2026 General Election Voter's Guide". AFT Oregon. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Oregon LIUNA: 2026 November Election Endorsements" . Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  49. ↑ "OSFFC 2026 General Endorsement List" (PDF). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  50. ↑ "UFCW 555 Endorsed Labor Champions" . Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Endorsements: 'Voting' is a Verb". Eugene Weekly. October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Lookout Editorial Board endorsements: state and federal races". Lookout Eugene-Springfield. October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Editorial endorsement November 2026: A dispirited endorsement for Kotek". OregonLive. October 14, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Mercury Endorsements: Vote Kotek For Governor". Portland Mercury. October 14, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  55. ↑ "WW's Fall 2026 Endorsements: Statewide". Willamette Week. October 14, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  56. ↑ "BPCC's 2026 Endorsements". Building Power for Communities of Color. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  57. ↑ "EWA Instagram Post". Instagram. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Endorsements—End Citizens United". End Citizens United . Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  59. ↑ "2026 General Election Endorsements" . Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Endorsements" . Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  61. ↑ "JOLPOL Endorsements" . Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Mental Health PAC Instagram post". Instagram. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Out NW Instagram post". Instagram. October 5, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  64. ↑ "2026 GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSED CANDIDATES" (PDF). Planned Parenthood Action Oregon. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Who We're Endorsing". Reproductive Freedom for All. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  66. ↑ "November 2026 Endorsements". Safety and Justice Oregon. March 26, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  67. ↑ "2026 General Election Candidate Endorsements". Sierra Club Oregon Chapter. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  68. ↑ "endorsing education champions". Stand for Children Oregon. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  69. ↑ "2026 General Elections Voting Guide" . Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  70. ↑ "Meet the Democratic candidates" . Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  71. ↑ "Lincoln County Democrats" . Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  72. ↑ "Endorsements" . Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  73. ↑ "2026 General Election: Tuesday November 3, 2026" . Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  74. 1 2 3 4 5 VanderHart, Dirk (August 21, 2026). "Kotek snags final minor-party nomination, likely cementing a three-way race for Oregon governor". Oregon Public Broadcasting . Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  75. ↑ "Dacia Grayber Instagram post". Instagram. October 21, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  76. ↑ "Khanh Pham Instagram post". Instagram. October 21, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  77. ↑ "Travis Nelson Instagram post". Instagram. October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  78. 1 2 "Dudley, Bethell Concede Oregon GOP Governor's Race, Express Their Support for Drazan". Right Now Oregon. May 20, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  79. ↑ "For Immediate Release: Oregon Fraternal Order of Police and Oregon State FOP Labor Coalition". Facebook. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  80. ↑ "2026 Candidate Endorsements". AG-PAC. October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  81. ↑ "NFIB Endorses Christine Drazan for Oregon Governor". National Federation of Independent Business . September 29, 2026. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  82. ↑ "ONPAC endorses Christine Drazan for Oregon governor". ONPAC. December 4, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  83. ↑ "Voter Guide". OFS Online. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  84. ↑ "Revitalize Portland Endorsement for Governor". Revitalize Portland. October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  85. ↑ "Candidate Endorsements". Your Chamber. August 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  86. ↑ "Oregon High School Republicans Instagram post". Instagram. June 15, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  87. ↑ "Young Republicans of Oregon Instagram post". Instagram. June 12, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  88. ↑ "Alek Skarlatos Facebook post". Facebook. October 1, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  89. ↑ Yunker, Dwayne (July 20, 2026). "Reviving Oregon Starts With Electing Christine Drazan Governor". Oregon Eagle. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  90. ↑ "Ed Diehl Facebook post". Facebook. October 20, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  91. ↑ "Lucetta Elmer Instagram post". Instagram. May 20, 2026. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  92. ↑ Randy Stapilus (October 1, 2026). "What the Oregon Education Association's missing endorsement says about this year's race for governor". Oregon Capital Chronicle . Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  93. ↑ VanderHart, Dirk (October 8, 2026). "2 new polls suggest Kotek may lead in Oregon governor's race". Oregon Public Broadcasting . Retrieved October 9, 2026.
  94. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (October 8, 2026). "Oregon governor's race may be shifting, new poll shows". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
  95. ↑ VanderHart, Dirk (September 30, 2026). "OPB poll shows Oregon governor's race virtually deadlocked". Oregon Public Broadcasting . Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  96. ↑ Jaquiss, Nigel (September 15, 2026). "New Poll Shows Drazan With Slight Lead in Governor's Race". Oregon Journalism Project. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  97. ↑ Fuentes, Carlos (July 9, 2026). "New poll shows Oregon governor's race is far from settled". The Oregonian . Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  98. 1 2 Mason, Anastasia (May 13, 2026). "Poll shows candidate leading Kotek in hypothetical general election". Yahoo. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  99. 1 2 3 Fuentes, Carlos (February 13, 2026). "Who will be Oregon's next governor? First poll of 2026 names this candidate" . The Oregonian . Retrieved February 13, 2026.
Official campaign websites