If you are among the undecided in this year’s governor’s race, KATU-TV will have a three-way debate on Tuesday, October 4. Check with your television provider.
In a recent poll conducted by DHM Research, Republican Christine Drazan and Democrat Tina Kotek are in a statistical toss up for the job of Governor, with Unaffiliated Betsy Johnson coming in at third place.
The poll has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4%, with Drazan getting the nod from approximately 32% of those polled, Kotek scoring 31%, Johnson carrying 18%, and the other two candidates garnering a combined 4%. This leaves 15% of voters polled undecided with less than six weeks to go before the election.
Drazan and Kotek have swapped a lead back and forth throughout the campaign, while Johnson – who held a better percentage earlier in the race – has continued to lose points.
According to an article in Oregonlive, the amount raised and spent for this race has been impressive. Johnson has raised over $11 million and spent almost $10 million of that. Kotek has raised almost $11 million and spent about $8.6 million. Drazan has raised just under $10 million and spent $8 million.
If the race were head-to-head between the two major parties, polling says that Kotek would lead with 40% of the vote to Drazan’s 31%. Johnson trends better when her campaign slogans of “leading from the middle” and “Oregon ahead of narrow partisan politics” are brought up.
Other Poll Results
DHM Research polls tell a story about a dissatisfied populace in Oregon in many areas. 63% of Oregonians are worried about finances as things continue to recover from the pandemic, with worry increasing significantly among older, more educated, higher paid Oregonians. 54% of those polled say Oregon is on the wrong track – a vague statement that could lead to surprising results come November.
The issues most Oregonians want to hear about are cost of living, the houseless problem, crime, and healthcare. Republicans polled added taxes and immigration to that list. Democrats added climate change.
Oregon Political Past
The numbers aren’t great for the leaders currently in place. Governor Kate Brown has a 33% approval rating, while President Joe Biden has a 42% approval rating among Oregonians.
A Republican has not been in the Governor’s office since 1987 when Vic Atiyeh left after eight years in the chair. Prior to the current run of Democrats, the job of governor was primarily Republican since 1939 with names like McCall and Hatfield becoming mainstays.
By Sally K Lehman
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