In Nail-Biter Oregon Gubernatorial Race, Republican Could Win for First Time in 40 Years

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan speaks to her constituents during a rally on October 18, 2022, in Aurora, Oregon. Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

Republican candidate Christine Drazan and Democrat nominee Tina Kotek are in a dead heat in the race for Oregon’s next governor, according to two recent polls.

A new Nelson Research survey of 577 likely voters showed Drazan receiving 43.5 percent of the vote, while Kotek garnered 41.1 percent. Unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson tallied 5.4 percent of the vote, with 9.4 percent of voters undecided.