Chris Dudley Says Tina Kotek Tried to Deter His 2026 Run as GOP Primary Nears
Updated
Updated · Oregon Public Broadcasting · May 12
Chris Dudley Says Tina Kotek Tried to Deter His 2026 Run as GOP Primary Nears
3 articles · Updated · Oregon Public Broadcasting · May 12
One week before Oregon’s May 19 primary, Chris Dudley began publicly claiming Gov. Tina Kotek called to persuade him not to run, casting it as proof he is the only Republican who can beat her.
Kotek’s campaign flatly disputed that account, saying the two had a cordial conversation after she heard Dudley might return to politics but that she never asked him to stay out of the race.
Dudley’s team said the timing is deliberate as he tries to consolidate late-deciding GOP voters, arguing Kotek fears him more than rivals Christine Drazan, Ed Diehl and Danielle Bethell.
More than $2 million in fundraising — including $1 million from Phil Knight — has helped Dudley reintroduce himself, but limited public polling still shows Drazan with a commanding primary lead.
Republican strategist Rebecca Tweed said the message could move undecided voters in a low-turnout race because it suggests Democrats see Dudley, the 2010 GOP nominee, as their toughest November opponent.
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