Governor Tina Kotek announces she will run for re-election, could again face Republican Christine Drazan
(Update: Adding Drazan reaction statement)
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced Thursday that she will run for re-election - read her statement below, and one from Republican Christine Drazan, one of several announced candidates, who Kotek defeated in the November 2022 general election.
"As your governor, I've never been prouder to work for you - and with you. But the fight isn't over. I'm running for reelection because Oregon values are on the line," Kotek said on her facebook page.
Read Kotek's full press release below:
Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced she is running for reelection in 2026, pledging to continue standing up for people, defending Oregon values, and delivering results for working families.
“I’m running for reelection because Oregon values are on the line,” Governor Kotek said. “Over the past months, we’ve lived through moments unlike anything our state or country has seen before - and I have never been more proud of how Oregonians have stepped up. When President Trump tried to force troops into our communities and rip away food assistance, we were ready. We stopped an unnecessary military deployment, restored SNAP benefits, and got help to families fast. The choice is between a governor who will stand up for Oregon and protect what we believe in, or a governor who will let Donald Trump do whatever he wants. I will always stand with Oregonians.”
Watch Governor Kotek’s campaign launch video:
Governor Kotek has focused on tackling Oregon’s biggest challenges - lowering costs, reducing homelessness, strengthening schools, expanding mental health and addiction care, and defending our freedoms. Since taking office, Governor Kotek has:
- Declared a homelessness state of emergency and delivered results, adding more than 6,200 shelter beds and 2,800 affordable homes, preventing 25,900 households from losing housing, and rehousing 5,500 families.
- Invested in early literacy and summer learning programs to improve student success and committed $50 million to expand access to affordable childcare.
- Lowered costs for families by canceling freeway tolls, reining in utility rate hikes, banning hidden junk fees, and protecting Oregonians’ credit scores from medical debt.
- Created Oregon’s first-ever statewide shelter program to help people move off the streets and into stable housing.
- Defended Oregon values by protecting abortion access and provider safety, standing up for vote-by-mail, and founding the West Coast Health Alliance with other governors to safeguard public health.
“When nurses and clinicians have been on the picket line, Governor Kotek has had our backs. We're proud to endorse Tina Kotek for Governor." - Jayesh Palshikar, Board Chair, ONA PAC
“Tina Kotek respects skilled trades and stands up for worker safety. She has earned the support of Ironworkers across Oregon. We are proud to endorse her for reelection.” - Jason Fussell, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Ironworkers Local 29
“Tina Kotek is a fierce advocate for the tens of thousands of skilled construction workers across Oregon. Governor Kotek is unafraid to lead on the issues we care about most, wages, hours, and working conditions, and that’s why we are proud to once again endorse her candidacy.” - Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary, Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council
“Tina Kotek is building Oregon’s future with union labor and good-paying jobs. She’s standing with IBEW workers to strengthen our workforce and deliver real results. We’re proud to endorse her for re-election.” - Garth Bachman, Business Manager, IBEW Local 48
“The Western States Carpenters back Governor Tina Kotek because she fights for workers with the same grit we bring to the jobsite. She holds labor thieves accountable, protects honest contractors, and stands up for the men and women who build this state. Governor Kotek delivers - and that’s why she has our full support.” - Trampas Simmons, Lead Representative, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
“Governor Kotek has been a steadfast partner in our work to keep Oregon families and communities safe. From supporting secure gun storage to preventing suicides, reducing youth violence, and keeping illegal guns off our streets, she understands that real safety comes from well-resourced communities, care, and listening to those most impacted. We are proud to endorse her for another term for Governor.” - Amie Wexler, Executive Director, Alliance for a Safe Oregon
"Governor Tina Kotek is a true trailblazer. As the first openly lesbian speaker of a statehouse and now one of the first out lesbian governors in our nation's history, she's been an unwavering champion for our community and our freedoms. She got straight to work tackling Oregon’s biggest challenges, and we’re proud to stand with her as she fights for equality and defends our rights, including stopping dangerous Republican efforts to ban LGBTQ+ books in our schools, protecting abortion access and provider safety, and standing up for vote-by-mail." - Kelley Robinson, President, Human Rights Campaign
“Governor Kotek has consistently stood up for Oregonians and the values we share. We’ve worked side by side against harmful federal actions, including opposing troop deployment in Portland. She’s the partner I need to continue this fight and I am proud to support her re-election.” - Attorney General Dan Rayfield
“Governor Kotek has been a thoughtful and steady partner in strengthening Oregon’s economy and looking out for working families across our state. Her leadership makes a real difference, and I’m honored to support her campaign.” - State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner
“Governor Kotek is making education a true priority for Oregon and backing it up with action. She is meeting Oregon’s biggest challenges with care, determination, and a deep commitment to our communities. I’m proud to endorse her for another term.” - Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner
“Governor Kotek has stepped up with real leadership when Oregon families needed it most. At a time when food assistance was threatened for kids, seniors, and working people, she made it clear that Oregon will not turn its back on those who need help. She is working every day to make our state stronger and lead us forward. I'm proud to support her re-election.” - Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey
“Governor Kotek has been a trusted and effective partner in helping drive Portland’s comeback. She’s focused on expanding housing, cutting red tape, and bringing people together to move our city forward. I’m proud to support her re-election for Governor.” - Portland Mayor Keith Wilson
Governor Kotek is already endorsed by a growing coalition of Oregon labor, advocacy, and Democratic leaders, including:
- Oregon Nurses Association
- Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
- Alliance for a Safe Oregon
- Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
- EMILYs List
- Human Rights Campaign
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield
- Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries Christina Stephenson
- Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner
- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
- Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
- Congresswoman Janelle Bynum
- Congresswoman Maxine Dexter
- Congresswoman Val Hoyle
- Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
- Senate President Rob Wagner
- Speaker of the House Julie Fahey
- Portland Mayor Keith Wilson
DRAZAN STATEMENT ON KOTEK’S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
“ALL TALK AND NO RESULTS. THIS IS OREGON’S TIME FOR CHOOSING.”
CANBY, Ore. – Today, Senator Christine Drazan (R-Canby) released the following statement in response to Governor Tina Kotek’s re-election campaign announcement:
“Tina is all talk and no results. She wants Oregonians to believe this race is about Washington, D.C., when it’s really about our home. This is Oregon’s time of choosing. This is our chance to choose a brighter future for our families — not the broken promises and stalled progress of her time in office. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Our state has everything it needs to be the best place in America to raise a family, build a home, start a business and receive a world-class education. But we won’t get there with Tina Kotek — we need new leadership."
Drazan is campaigning on cleaning up Kotek’s messes here at home including lowering costs and unleashing prosperity, repealing tent cities and reuniting families, making homeownership affordable, restoring academic excellence and high standards, and holding criminals accountable.
Christine Drazan and her husband, Dan, live in Canby where they raised their three children. Christine formerly served as Oregon House Republican Leader and now represents the people of Senate District 26 as their State Senator.
