While typically considered a liberal stronghold, the Oregon governor’s race has shaped up to be a competitive contest between Democrat Tina Kotek, Republican Christine Drazan and independent Betsy Johnson.
Democrats have occupied the governor’s mansion in Oregon since 1987, and President Biden won the state by 16 percentage points in 2020. Plus, a win from Kotek would be historic, as she, along with Maura Healey in Massachusetts, could become the country’s first openly lesbian governor. In 2013, Kotek became the first openly lesbian speaker of a state House of Representatives.
But Drazan, 50, is threatening to upset Democrats’ nearly four decades of gubernatorial control in Oregon, as Johnson draws left-leaning votes away from Kotek.
Polls have shown Kotek with a narrow lead over Drazan heading into Election Day.
Polls close at 11 p.m. ET (some areas close at 10 p.m. ET). See live election results here after the polls close.
