Incumbent Tina Kotek wins Oregon governor’s race

Incumbent Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) is projected to win the state’s gubernatorial race against Republican opponent Christine Drazan, according to nonpartisan election forecaster Decision Desk HQ .

Kotek, the state’s 39th governor who was elected in 2022 after she won a three-way contest against Drazan and independent Betsy Johnson, will be serving her second term as governor. She was one of the two first openly lesbian governors in the U.S., according to CBS News .

Earlier this year, the Democrat faced off against nine challengers and won the state’s Democratic primary by more than 80 points in her bid to secure the party’s nod.

Kotek, a former Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, narrowly won her first term against Drazan. Oregon has not had a Republican governor in four decades, and Kotek’s win will add another four years to the ongoing Democratic streak in the state.

The Cook Political Report in its latest rating shifted the race toward the Republican side, labeling it as “leans Democrat,” a shift from its previous rating of “likely Democrat.” The report noted that private GOP polling showed the race between the candidates was tied.

Kotek announced her gubernatorial bid in December last year, saying her decision to run for reelection was because “Oregon values are on the line,” according to local news station KOIN. In a move to pitch her bid, she said the “choice is between a governor who will stand up for Oregon and protect what we believe in, or a governor who will let Donald Trump do whatever he wants. I will always stand with Oregonians.”

About two weeks before the election, Kotek secured former President Obama’s endorsement, who said, “She will stand up to anyone if it means delivering for working families,” the Salem Statesman Journal reported . Obama had endorsed Kotek in her 2022 gubernatorial run.

“I am so honored to have President Obama’s support in this race,” Kotek said, according to the report. “Because of his leadership, Oregon has stronger healthcare, more ways to fight climate change, and expanded human rights protections. Thank you for helping our state make progress toward a better future for everyone.”

The incumbent governor has largely focused on issues of affordability, economic opportunity and education, according to her campaign website . She also pledged to stop data center developments until statewide standards are in place, support climate resiliency in communities and provide Oregonians ample access to reproductive healthcare.