Oregon’s Tina Kotek wins reelection after a closer-than-expected race
A competitive rematch
Kotek first won the governorship in 2022, narrowly defeating Drazan. The two faced each other again this year, with Drazan, a former statehouse leader, seeking to unseat the incumbent.
The campaign proved closer than expected in reliably Democratic Oregon. The state has not elected a Republican governor since 1982.
Dissatisfaction with state direction
Kotek entered the race amid dissatisfaction over homelessness and the state’s direction. A September DHM Research poll found 59% of Oregonians disapproved of the state’s direction, while 58% disapproved of Kotek. Drazan sought to connect economic and homelessness problems to Kotek and the Democratic majority in the statehouse.
Bend shooting affected campaign
In October, a 16-year-old gunman killed three students and a teacher in a Bend school shooting. An armed bystander then shot and killed the gunman.
Key points
- CBS News projected that Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek won reelection in Oregon.
- The race was a rematch of Kotek’s narrow 2022 victory over Christine Drazan.
- A September poll found majorities disapproved of Oregon’s direction and of Kotek.
- A deadly school shooting in Bend occurred during the campaign.