Who’s running for Oregon Governor 2026?
The 2026 Oregon gubernatorial election is set to decide the state’s next governor on November 3, 2026. Incumbent Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, is eligible for re-election to a second full term. This overview explains the Oregon Governor’s race, who is running, and the election process. Readers will find clear, nonpartisan details about all candidates and how the 2026 Oregon governor election works.
Oregon Governor 2026 Election: Who’s Running?
Oregon will hold its 2026 gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026, to choose the state’s next governor. The office is currently held by Democratic Governor Tina Kotek, who has served since 2023 and is eligible to seek a second full term. Oregon’s statewide political landscape is shaped by a strong Democratic presence, particularly in urban areas, and the state government, including executive offices, is controlled by Democrats. The 2026 election will feature both primary and general contests, with several Democratic, Republican, and Independent candidates entering the race.
The electorate encompasses a population of approximately 4.2 million, with the Governor’s office up for election every four years. Political forecasts rate the race as Solid Democratic, according to nonpartisan analysis organizations. Primary elections are held to determine each party’s general election nominee. Oregon’s varied geography and partisan makeup add complexity to the race, but official ratings indicate a clear partisan lean as the ballot approaches. The main focus remains on the democratic process and the choice for Oregon voters in the 2026 governor election.
Candidates in the 2026 Oregon Governor Election
Democratic Candidates:
– Tina Kotek is the current Democratic Governor of Oregon, serving since 2023. She is eligible for re-election but, as of the latest information, is not officially declared as a candidate. According to the candidate summary, she has been endorsed by the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
– James Atkinson IV, also a Democrat, is an inventor and businessman with a background in sales. He has officially filed to run and is known for creating the ‘Endless Cup,’ a product designed to produce water from the environment. His campaign focuses on governance addressing homelessness, housing, climate change, education, and more, as well as opposing new taxes. Atkinson’s campaign emphasizes issues like homelessness, housing, and the environment, with an official Facebook profile provided.
– Brittany Nichole Jones is a Democratic candidate, a military veteran, and a mother of three. An active member of the LGBTQIA2S community, she highlights issues such as support for First Nations, environmental protection, healthcare access, fair housing, public safety, and infrastructure. Her platform also addresses school safety and BIPOC community protections. Jones’s campaign shares a vision of fair governance beyond party lines, and she maintains an official campaign website and Facebook page.
Republican Candidates:
– Danielle Bethell has filed as a Republican candidate. She serves as a Marion County Commissioner, with experience in local government.
– David Burch is a Republican repeat candidate with a background in internet activism and open support for former President Donald Trump. He emphasizes a leadership style characterized by toughness and a focus on reversing Democratic dominance in Oregon. According to the provided data, he has been endorsed by Trump.
– Christine Drazan is a Republican State Senator (since 2025) and former Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives. She was also the Republican nominee for governor in 2022 and maintains an official campaign website.
– Kyle Duyck is a Republican genomics researcher who has filed for the gubernatorial race.
– Patrick Kopke-Hales, a Republican candidate, is a U.S. military veteran, counselor, and volunteer firefighter based in Portland with additional logistics and construction experience. Kopke-Hales’s campaign highlights public service, unity across Oregon’s divides, economic opportunity, infrastructure, and transparency, and features an active Facebook profile.
– Robert Neuman is a business manager and previous candidate for labor commissioner. He is officially filed as a Republican candidate and operates a campaign website.
Independent Candidate:
– Alexander Ziwahatan is running as an Independent. He is a seventh-generation Oregonian, business owner, and Chief of the Sakochee Tribe. His campaign emphasizes ending income and property taxes via new revenue streams, solutions for homelessness, public safety, economic transformation, and government accountability. Ziwahatan is listed as having declared his candidacy and maintains websites and social media accounts for campaign updates.
Be sure to double check candidate details with public filings and candidate-provided summaries to ensure neutral and accurate coverage of the 2026 Oregon governor race.
2026 Oregon Gubernatorial Election Details
The 2026 Oregon gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026. Oregon uses a primary election system to select nominees from each major party, with the primary election scheduled for May 19, 2026, and the candidate filing deadline set for March 3, 2026. The general election occurs after the primaries determine the official party nominees. Oregon’s primary and general election process is managed by the Secretary of State’s office.
Candidates from the Democratic, Republican, and Independent parties participate, and voters select their preferred candidate in each party’s primary before choosing between party nominees in the general election. The state conducts elections regularly every four years for the office of governor, with voting typically available by mail and in-person from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.
Voter engagement in Oregon is supported by high access to mail-in ballots, and registration deadlines precede the primary and general elections. The gubernatorial election determines the chief executive of the state, and candidates must meet all legal requirements to be listed on the ballot. Political analysis groups expect the process to continue established practices from previous elections, as described in the official summaries.
Polling and Outlook for the 2026 Oregon Governor Race
As of the latest reports, there are no formal fundraising totals or detailed polling data available for the 2026 Oregon gubernatorial election. Political analysis organizations such as The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rate the race as Solid Democratic, indicating that analysts view the Democratic Party as holding a significant advantage based on historic voting patterns and current party control of state offices.
With several declared Democratic, Republican, and Independent candidates, the race remains competitive in the sense of candidate diversity. However, the absence of published polling data leaves the quantitative competitiveness of the race unassessed. No major upsets or dramatic polling swings are noted in the available election summaries. The field will become clearer as the primary and campaign season continue, and as more data emerges regarding campaign fundraising and voter sentiment.
Key Issues in the 2026 Oregon Governor Election
Oregon voters in the 2026 gubernatorial race are expected to focus on a range of key statewide issues. Prominent topics include homelessness, housing affordability and development, and climate change and environmental protection. Education funding and policy, public safety, and law enforcement also feature prominently in candidate discussions and public debate.
Additional central issues are economic revitalization and job growth, healthcare access and reproductive rights, transportation infrastructure improvements, government transparency and accountability, and tax policy reform. Candidates from major and minor parties alike have referenced these areas as critical to Oregon’s future, according to official and campaign-provided summaries.
The 2026 election discourse is shaped by Oregon’s geographical diversity, population growth, and evolving legislative landscape. The issues listed are informed by the provided overviews, candidate statements, and nonpartisan voter guides.
Partner with Sutton & Smart for Campaign Services
Sutton & Smart offers professional support to campaigns and political organizations, including petition gathering, canvassing services, voter contact, and strategic consulting. To learn how we can help your campaign succeed in Oregon, connect with our experienced team.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/30/whos-running-for-office-in-oregon-in-2026/
2026 Oregon gubernatorial election
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/31/facing-discrimination-concerns-oregon-quietly-halts-noncitizen-voters-investigation/
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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