A new poll suggests Christine Drazan holds a clear advantage in the Republican primary race for governor in Oregon, outpacing her closest rivals by a significant margin.
The survey of 515 likely GOP primary voters found Drazan with 31.1% support — nearly double that of Ed Diehl at 15.6% and Chris Dudley at 14.8%.
However, the race is far from settled. About 30% of voters remain undecided, leaving room for potential shifts as the campaign progresses.
When poll participants were asked to choose a candidate if forced, Drazan’s lead widened further. She gained an additional 5.8 percentage points, compared to smaller gains for Dudley and Diehl.
The poll, conducted by Salem-based Nelson Research between April 14 and 17, has a margin of error of 4.3% and coincided with the race’s first major debate in Hillsboro.
Drazan’s campaign pointed to the results as proof of strong statewide support, arguing she is best positioned to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek in the general election.
Her opponents, however, dismissed the findings. Representatives for both Dudley and Diehl said the poll does not reflect growing momentum for their campaigns.
Dudley, a former NBA player and the GOP’s 2010 gubernatorial nominee, has raised more than $2 million — including a major contribution from Phil Knight — to boost his visibility. Still, about 24% of voters in the poll said they were unfamiliar with him.
Diehl, meanwhile, is banking on grassroots support built during his campaign against gas tax increases, though he faces a major name recognition gap. More than a third of respondents said they had not heard of him.
Other candidates trail far behind. David Medina received 7% support, while Danielle Bethell registered just 2%.
Despite Drazan’s early lead, analysts note that the high number of undecided voters means the race could still tighten in the months ahead — especially as candidates ramp up outreach and campaigning across the state.
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