The Upcoming Oregon Republican Primary will be coming up on May 19. Rather than focus on more than a dozen candidates I wanted to focus on four candidates for now:, Ed Diehl, Danielle Bethell, Chris Dudley and Christine Drazan. If you lean conservative and are a non-affiliated voter (NAV) this is the time to register if you wish to influence the outcome of this primary.
Republican Candidates for Oregon Governor
Key Campaign Details
- Ed Diehl: State Representative (District 17) and leader of the “No Tax Oregon” campaign. A mechanical engineer by trade, Diehl officially launched his bid in January 2026, citing a need for “competence to state government” and fiscal discipline. Ed Diehl did win the recent Western Liberty Network (WLN) straw poll. Money raised thus far: $128,000 eddiehl.com
- Danielle Bethell: She positions herself as an executive leader, emphasizing her work with local law enforcement, wildfire recovery, and mental health services in Marion County. Chair of the Marion County Board of Commissioners. Money raised thus far: $170,000 Bethell For Governor
- Chris Dudley: Former NBA center and 2010 GOP nominee who famously came within one point of winning the governorship. His 2026 campaign, launched with the message “We Can Do Better,” centers on Oregon’s “bottom-of-the-barrel” education rankings, public safety, and a “policy above party” approach. A Yale graduate and founder of the Chris Dudley Foundation, he positions himself as a leader who can bridge the partisan divide. Money raised this far: $60,000 dudleyfororegon.com
- Christine Drazan: State Senator and former House Republican Leader; was the 2022 GOP nominee. Her campaign focuses on “restoring opportunity, accountability, and prosperity,” with specific emphasis on cutting taxes and addressing the cost of living. Money raised thus far: $1,600,000 christinefororegon.com
Ed Diehl
Focus: Competence and Fiscal Discipline
- Taxation: Gained significant momentum leading the “No Tax Oregon” campaign to block gas tax hikes. His platform is built on permanent fiscal restraint.
- Government Efficiency: As a mechanical engineer, he emphasizes “systems-level” management, arguing the state needs an executive who understands how to manage large departments and budgets.
- Key Issues: Lists education, street homelessness, and gun rights as top priorities.
- Stance: Advocates for limited government intervention in the economy and stronger support for small businesses.
Danielle Bethell
Focus: Executive Experience and Local Governance
- Safe Communities: Prioritizes law enforcement coordination, mental health emergency response, and re-criminalizing hard drugs.
- Natural Resources: Pushes for a “balanced discussion” between the environmental and natural resource industries (timber, farming) to boost the rural economy.
- The “Executive” Argument: Distinguishes herself from Drazan by highlighting her role as a County Commissioner, arguing she is already “running a government” and knows how to implement policy rather than just debate it.
Chris Dudley
Focus: Education, Unity, and Post-Partisan Solutions
- The Return: After coming within one percentage point of winning the governorship in 2010, Dudley is pitching himself as the “outside Salem” candidate who can bridge the partisan divide.
- Education Reform: His primary platform is centered on Oregon’s dismal education rankings, advocating for more classroom time and higher accountability for student performance.
- The “Moderate” Lane: Unlike some of his rivals, Dudley has historically supported abortion rights—a stance that makes him a strong General Election candidate but presents a challenge in a conservative GOP primary.
- Philanthropy: He continues to leverage his work with the Chris Dudley Foundation, emphasizing his long-term commitment to youth health and Type 1 diabetes advocacy.
Christine Drazan
Focus: Policy Reform and Accountability
- Affordability: Calls for cutting taxes and reducing state regulations to lower the cost of living.
- Education & Housing: Criticizes the state’s handling of student performance and the homeless crisis; advocates for “results-oriented” spending rather than “news cycle” management.
- Public Safety: Strongly opposed to the impacts of Measure 110 (drug decriminalization) and pushes for stricter enforcement to handle addiction and crime.
- Legislative Experience: Positions herself as a seasoned leader who can navigate the statehouse to block what she terms “harmful” Democratic policies.
Concluding Summary
The 2026 Oregon Republican Primary represents a pivotal crossroads for the party as it seeks to break a 40-year losing streak in gubernatorial elections. While the field is diverse, the competition between these four candidates highlights a broader debate over the best strategy to flip the state.
Ultimately, Oregon Republican voters must decide whether they prioritize ideological purity, proven legislative pushback, or broad-tent appeal. The winner of the May 19 primary will face a steep climb against the Democratic incumbent, but the caliber of this year’s field suggests the GOP is preparing for its most competitive challenge in over a decade.
