Christine Drazan Leads Radical Oregon Governor Tina Kotek– www.lifenews.com

There’s talk of a blue wave across the country, but Oregon could see a potential Republican victory.

Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan holds a slim lead over Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek in a new poll of Oregon’s governor’s race, a rematch that puts a pro-life challenger against an incumbent who has used her office to celebrate abortion and lock in permanent taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.

The Oregon Public Broadcasting/DHM Research survey of 915 likely voters, conducted Sept. 17-27, found Drazan at 46% and Kotek at 44%, with third-party candidate Brett Smith at 3% and 8% undecided.

After leaners were included, the race stood at Drazan 47%, Kotek 46%, Smith 3% and 5% undecided. The 1-point edge is within the poll’s 3.24-point margin of error, leaving the contest virtually deadlocked about two weeks before ballots go out.

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Kotek, seeking a second term, has made abortion a centerpiece of her record.

Oregon already allows abortion up to the moment of birth for any reason. In 2025 she declared Abortion Provider Appreciation Day to celebrate abortionists who kill babies.

“Here in Oregon, we understand that abortion is health care, and providers are appreciated and can continue to provide care without interference and intimidation,” Kotek said.

Oregon Right to Life Executive Director Lois Anderson called the proclamation “unsurprising but appalling.”

“There is nothing to celebrate about an industry that profits from taking advantage of vulnerable women and ending the lives of innocent human beings under the guise of ‘health care,’” Anderson said. “Oregon Democrats’ continued obsession with abortion until birth is honestly disturbing.”

Kotek later signed House Bill 4127, directing millions in state tax dollars to Planned Parenthood on a permanent basis to replace federal Medicaid money blocked under President Donald Trump. The law also creates a standing backup if Congress cuts off that funding for good. Oregon was the first state to enact such a long-term replacement.

All Republicans in the Legislature voted against the bill.

Kotek celebrated the measure with a ceremonial signing at a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Portland. Oregon Right to Life Political Director Sharolyn Smith said the funding would mean more abortions, not fewer.

“Pro-life or pro-choice, I would hope we could all agree that we want to see fewer abortions in Oregon, not more,” Smith said. “An expansion in funding to Planned Parenthood would do the opposite.”

Drazan has taken the other side.

She has said publicly that she is a “pro-life woman” and that her position is based on her personal faith. Oregon Right to Life, the state’s leading pro-life group, has endorsed her. While campaigning, Drazan has said she would veto any legislation seeking to expand abortion access in Oregon.

Drazan campaign consultant Trey Rosser said voters are turning against the governor.

“Poll after poll is showing that Oregonians of all political stripes are fed up with Tina Kotek’s failed leadership and finding more and more reasons to support Christine Drazan,” Rosser said. “While Kotek is busy blaming and shaming other people for problems that have gotten worse on her watch, Christine is building support around her plan to lower costs, tackle homelessness, build more housing, improve education, and demand accountability from state government.”

The poll found 58% of likely voters saying Oregon is on the wrong track and fewer than 30% saying it is headed in the right direction. Cost of living, housing, taxes and jobs ranked as top concerns.

Kotek leads in the Portland metro area, 54% to 40%, weaker than the roughly 61% she won there in 2022. Drazan leads outside the metro.

Kotek holds the money advantage. Drazan has raised $11.1 million since January 2025. Kotek has raised about $2.5 million more and has more than $8 million on hand, compared with less than $1 million for Drazan.

No Republican has won the Oregon governorship since 1982. Drazan led most public polls late in their 2022 race before that lead collapsed.