Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has won re-election in Oregon, defeating Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan, NBC News and CBS News project. The closely watched race marked a rematch of the 2022 contest, which Kotek won by a narrow margin of 4 percentage points in the solidly Democratic state.
Kotek’s victory comes despite low approval ratings, with polls indicating voter concerns over cost-of-living issues and homelessness. Drazan criticized Kotek’s policies on taxes and data centers, while Kotek sought to associate Drazan with former President Donald Trump, who lost Oregon by 14 points in 2024. Oregon has not elected a Republican governor since 1982.
Key Policy Debates
Kotek faced scrutiny over her handling of data center growth, with Oregon ranked among the top 10 states for planned data centers. In September, she announced support for a statewide moratorium on new data centers, a move Drazan opposed. The race also highlighted affordability, with Drazan accusing Kotek of relying on tax increases to address state challenges.
During the campaign, Kotek warned that Drazan’s record could lead to policies such as banning abortion, cutting the Oregon Health Plan, and eliminating vote-by-mail, while Drazan emphasized Kotek’s economic policies as a driver of rising costs.
Campaign Dynamics and Unions
Kotek, one of the first openly lesbian governors in the U.S., secured major labor support in 2022 but lost the endorsement of the state’s largest public education union this cycle. The race unfolded against a backdrop of economic discontent, with a September poll showing 59% of Oregonians disapproved of the state’s direction and 58% disapproved of Kotek’s performance.
Local and National Context
The election followed a school shooting in Bend, where a 16-year-old gunman killed three students and a teacher. Both candidates visited the community, and Kotek declared an emergency to provide aid. The race remained competitive despite Oregon’s Democratic lean, with Kotek’s campaign framing Drazan as aligned with national Republican priorities.
Kotek, first elected in 2022, will begin her second term in January 2025.