State Sen. Christine Drazan has won the Republican nomination for Oregon governor, NBC News projects, setting up a rematch this fall against Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek.
Drazan emerged from a 14-candidate Republican primary campaign to advance to the general election. While she will be the underdog in the traditionally blue state, Drazan lost to Kotek by less than 4 points in 2022.
Oregon voters did not elect Republican as governor since 1982. And Kamala Harris won the state in the 2024 presidential election by 14 points.
Drazan previously served in the State House, where she was Republican leader, before being elected to the State Senate. In her campaign, she emphasized economic issues such as lowering the cost of living and housing.
Among the candidates Drazan defeated was Chris Dudley, a former NBA player and financial planner. Dudley was the GOP nominee for governor in 2010, when he lost to former Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber by less than 2 points.