The Democrats have held on to the governor’s post for 4 decades in Oregon but that might change in the November midterms. Oregon’s richest man, Nike’s billionaire co-founder is pouring money into the gubernatorial elections by funding both an Independent, Betsy Johnson, who was a former Democrat as well as the Republican candidate, Christine Drazan against Democrat nominee Tina Kotek. President Joe Biden had won Oregon by 16 percentage points in the November 2020 presidential elections.
The millions poured into the elections by 84-year old Knight have given a boost to the Republican candidate and is also expected to help Betsy Johnson, a former Democrat who is running as an Independent, as a spoiler.
The millions of dollars pumped in by Knight have made the race a close contest. President Joe Biden arrived in Portland Oregon, on Friday, to campaign for Tina Kotek. He introduced her to the crowd and said that she “had the lion of a heart.”
Biden also emphasized that both the role and impact of governors had been increasing. He said that the gubernatorial race mattered “well beyond the state of Oregon.”
Drazan is hopeful of a victory and has stayed clear of mentioning former president Donald Trump. Drazan has also avoided being painted as pro-abortion, an issue that dodges Republican candidates who are standing for election or re-election.
Knight’s pumping in millions into the Independent’s candidate’s campaign as well as the Republican’s has also diluted the lead of the Democratic candidate.
There has been an increase in crime and homelessness, in Oregon. The pandemic, drug abuse and rising costs have helped to erode the support for the Democrats in Oregon. As inflation is high and gas prices might rise again, the Democrats face a tough battle despite being the favorite party for forty years.
Analysts say that the Democratic candidate needs to energize the Biden base in Oregon while Republicans believe that Biden was brought in to save the candidate’s flailing popularity. Philip Knight had muddied the field with his huge influx of cash and his interview with the New York Times, where he described himself as ‘an anti-Tina person.’ Philip Knight’s millions might play spoiler in the seemingly close race as the Independent candidate and ex-Democrat could draw votes away from the Democratic nominee in Oregon.
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