The race for Governor in Oregon is heating up as the race tightens between Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan and Democrat Tina Kopek. Can a Republican actually win the race for Governor in Oregon? Nike co-founder Phil Knight believes it’s possible, recently donating $1 million to elect the Republican candidate showing his displeasure with the Democrat Tina Kotek.
The Nike founder also donated $3.75 million to an independent candidate Betsy Johnson, again signaling his dislike of the Democrat candidate for Governor. According to Republican strategist Rebecca Tweed, “It’s not really $1 million toward Drazan or $3.75 (million) towards Betsy. It’s $4.75 (million) against Tina Kotek.”
“Each candidate has brought in $13… 14… 16.5 million. We’re just getting started. I know people are tired of seeing ads, but sit down and get ready for it,” she said.
Not since 1982 has a Republican been elected Governor in Oregon, and the recent donation may help Christine Drazan close the gap between her opponent.
According to a recent Emerson College Poll, the current Oregon House Republican Leader, Christine Drazan, actually lead her Democrat opponent Koteck by a small margin.
The poll showed Drazan leading her opponent 36 percent to 34 percent, a two percentage point lead. 19 percent planned on voting for independent Betsy Johnson.
A KGW political analyst, Len Bergstein, believes the donations from the Nike co-founder would help Drazan win. “As soon as he sees some polls that say ‘wait a minute, there’s a chance that Drazan could win,’ he’s saying well maybe my money could make the difference to push her over the top,” he said.
“This is not a normal election. We’re having fun watching it because we have three original candidates for governor and a lot of interesting twists and turns in the race already.”