Decision 2026: WATCH – Candidates for Oregon Governor Debate on KTVZ
Editor's Note: This debate aired at 6 pm on October 13, 2026 on KTVZ-TV
LIVE BLOG:
6:55 pm - Tina Kotek's closing statement.
6:54 pm - Christine Drazan's closing statement.
6:52 pm - Aaron Switzer asks about water concerns, what specifics changes would you make to Oregon's water rights system to ensure it's resilient? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. No time for rebuttals.
6:49 pm - Spencer Sacks references US 97 being a critical route for Central and Eastern Oregon, asks about three top priorities for ODOT and transportation projects? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal, Drazan follows with a rebuttal.
6:45 pm - Aaron Switzer asks about a tax credit for new hires in certain industries -- do you think a $1,000 incentive is large enough to change business decisions? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. Drazan has a rebuttal, Kotek follows with a rebuttal.
6:44 pm - Spencer has a follow-up, asking what can we do about current data centers? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second.
6:40 pm - Spencer Sacks asks about data centers and the revenue they bring to communities -- both candidates have previously supported data centers, what changed your views? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal, Drazan follows with a rebuttal.
6:36 pm - Aaron Switzer asks what specific economic-development strategies would you use for Eastern Oregon counties? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. Drazan has a rebuttal, Kotek follows with a rebuttal.
6:33 pm - Spencer Sacks notes some Oregonians feel more aligned with Idaho than Oregon, asks about what Oregon leaders can do to bring more unification to the state? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal, Drazan follows with a rebuttal.
6:30 pm - Aaron Switzer asks about compensation for teachers and educators -- how should Oregon attract and retain teachers and educators, especially for community colleges? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal.
6:27 pm - Spencer Sacks asks about education, Oregon continues to have challenges with math and reading scores -- what changes would you make to improve performance and retention? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. Drazan has a rebuttal, Kotek follows with a rebuttal.
6:23 pm - Aaron Switzer asks about rural hospitals facing financial pressures -- if a rural hospital says they do not have the resources for maternity care, what specific state intervention would you offer? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal, Drazan follows with a rebuttal.
6:19 pm - Spencer Sacks asks about rural Oregon's struggle to maintain healthcare providers -- would you expand state funding for rural medical residency programs? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. Drazan has a rebuttal, Kotek follows with a rebuttal.
6:15 pm - Aaron Switzer asks about rural healthcare and behavioral health, Central Oregon has reported a major shortage -- do you think 16 new beds coming to Redmond are enough and how will you support rural areas? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal, Drazan follows with a rebuttal.
6:11 pm - Spencer Sacks asks about specific metrics to monitor homelessness -- what is working, what isn't? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. Drazan has a rebuttal, Kotek follows with a rebuttal.
6:08 pm - Aaron Switzer asks what specific state policy would you change first to make Central Oregon housing more affordable and how would you work across the aisle for bipartisan solutions? Kotek replies first, Drazan replies second. Kotek has a rebuttal, Drazan follows with a rebuttal.
6:05 pm - Spencer Sacks asks about housing and growth, many workers in Central Oregon cannot afford to live where they work -- what would you do to ensure frontline workers can live where they work? Drazan replies first, Kotek replies second. Drazan has a rebuttal, Kotek follows with a rebuttal.
6:03 pm - Christine Drazan's opening statement.
6:01 pm - Tina Kotek's opening statement.
5:58 pm - The debate has begun on KTVZ News, KTVZ.com, and KTVZ+
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As part of KTVZ News' debate series, The Central Oregon Debates, this week KTVZ News will host the candidates for Oregon Governor.
Candidates Christine Drazan and Tina Kotek are scheduled to appear LIVE on Tuesday at 6:00 pm.
The forum will be moderated by Lee Anderson. The broadcast panel will feature Spencer Sacks, KTVZ’s political reporter, and Aaron Switzer, founder and publisher of The Source.
This event offers the candidates an opportunity to address critical issues facing central and eastern Oregon, and outline their strategic priorities for voters ahead of the upcoming election.
Viewers can tune in to the Oregon Gubernatorial debate this Tuesday at 6:00 pm on NBC or stream the event live via KTVZ.com, the KTVZ News App and KTVZ+.
