Oregon’s packed governor race and fuel tax referendum highlight primary elections

Oregon, known as the Beaver State, has long been a Democratic stronghold in the US Northwest, electing Democrats to most statewide offices since the 1980s.

However, even in this reliably blue state, competition for political power remains intense.

On Tuesday, Oregon holds its primary elections, with both major parties selecting nominees for the November midterms.

A crowded field of about 25 candidates, including Democrats and Republicans, is vying to succeed Governor Tina Kotek as she seeks a second term.

Tuesday’s vote also serves as an economic barometer, as voters consider a referendum to repeal a state fuel tax amid rising consumer costs from the US-Israel military campaign against Iran.

This explainer outlines key races and candidates.

Polls open at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (15:00 GMT) and close at 8:00 p.m. (04:00 GMT).

Incumbent Democratic Governor Tina Kotek is running for a second four-year term, facing competition from nine other Democrats and numerous Republicans.

In the Democratic primary, Kotek is the frontrunner. Her challengers include a children’s book author, the head of an Indigenous nonprofit, and an inventor focused on water shortages.

The Republican primary features an even larger field.

Among the Republican contenders is State Senator Christine Drazan, who lost to Kotek in the 2022 general election. Drazan has criticized President Donald Trump’s tariff policies but supports his hardline immigration stance.

Also running is former NBA player Chris Dudley, the 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate who recorded the narrowest losing margin for a Republican candidate in decades.

State Representative Ed Diehl seeks to build on momentum from leading the effort to block Kotek’s proposed gas tax and fee increase.

Polls show Drazan leading the Republican race with 35% support.

Kotek is expected to easily win the Democratic primary, with no opponent polling close.

Another Democratic incumbent, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, is running for re-election.

The 69-year-old, who began his career in affordable housing, seeks a fourth consecutive six-year term. He first took office in 2009.

Although Merkley faces eight primary challengers — one Democrat and seven Republicans — his seat is considered safe.

He is expected to win Tuesday’s Democratic primary and become the frontrunner for the November general election.

All six of Oregon’s U.S. House members are running for re-election and face primaries Tuesday.

Five are Democrats. The lone Republican, Cliff Bentz, represents the sprawling second congressional district covering the eastern half of the state.

Voters will also choose party nominees for state Senate and House races.

A nonpartisan commissioner will be elected to lead the state Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Oregon operates a closed primary system, meaning voters can only choose nominees for the party in which they are registered.

Given the state’s Democratic lean, winners of statewide Democratic primaries are likely to become frontrunners in November.

However, surprises are possible. State voter rolls show less than 25% of Oregonians are registered Republicans, and only 32% are registered Democrats. The largest group — 43% — identifies as non-affiliated.

Primary races in conservative areas, such as Oregon’s second congressional district, may signal how closely state Republicans want to align with President Trump.

Voters will also decide on a referendum to repeal a gas tax increase.

Democratic lawmakers raised the gas tax to fund roads and the state transportation budget.

But as the US-Israel military campaign against Iran drives up gas prices, Republicans have used the referendum to appeal to voters on cost-of-living concerns. Oregon’s average gas price is now about 80 cents higher.

Additionally, nearly 100 local measures appear on ballots across counties, many funding fire departments, schools, and libraries.

Preliminary results are expected Tuesday evening shortly after polls close at 8:00 p.m. local time.

However, ballots will continue arriving after Election Day as mail-in and provisional ballots are counted, and some races may not be officially called for days.