Decision 2026: Gov. Kotek challenges Christine Drazan to three televised debates

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Tina for Oregon campaign today challenged Sen. Christine Drazan to three 60-minute televised debates in Portland, Eugene and Medford. Drazan is again seeking Oregon's highest office after facing Kotek in the 2022 governor's race.

Shortly after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek challenged Drazan to three debates before the November election, Drazan posted her response to X (pictured below), writing quote, "LOL. Of course we're going to debate. I can do that all day with a record like yours. But if we're going to talk about Oregon, we should probably include all of it - not just the I-5 corrridor."

The Tina for Oregon campaign today challenged Sen. Christine Drazan to three 60-minute televised debates in Portland, Eugene and Medford. Drazan is again seeking Oregon's highest office after facing Kotek in the 2022 governor's race.

The debates, proposed to start in September, aim to allow Gov. Tina Kotek to present her vision for a second term and how she plans to defend Oregon's values.

The campaign stated the debates will give Oregonians across the state an opportunity to hear directly from Gov. Kotek. The discussions are expected to cover issues such as lowering costs, addressing homelessness, improving schools and standing up to what the campaign calls President Trump's attacks on Oregon.

Marissa Sandgren, Campaign Manager for Tina for Oregon, emphasized the importance of the proposed debates. "Gov. Kotek is ready to make her case and is calling on Sen. Drazan to commit to three debates on the issues that matter most to Oregonians," Sandgren said. "The stakes of this race couldn't be higher. Gov. Kotek is fighting to lower costs, address homelessness, improve schools and stand up to President Trump's attacks on Oregon. Drazan has embraced Trump's agenda despite the devastating impact it has caused Oregon families. These debates will make the choice clear."

The proposed debates are planned to be 60-minutes long and televised. Further details regarding debate hosts and logistics are expected to be announced.