The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia moved its “Crystal Ball” rating for the Oregon governor race from “Leans Democratic” to “Toss-Up,” meaning a historic GOP win could be on the horizon in the Democrat-dominated state.
The Daily Wire reports:
The Center for Politics noted there are toss-up governorships in Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Kansas, and most recently, Oregon.
“Oregon’s gubernatorial race is the best pick-up opportunity for Republicans in the country this year because Christine Drazan is the best candidate in this race,” Drazan Communications Director John Burke told The Daily Wire in a statement. “This rating change and the multiple polls showing Christine leading both of her Democrat opponents are proof that she is well-positioned to win and make history this November.”
Republicans have not run a successful gubernatorial race in Oregon since 1982, the Center pointed out, but the current election is between three candidates “who are all recent members of the state legislature.”
The Democratic candidate, Tina Kotek, served as Speaker of the House, Republican candidate Christine Drazan was the House Minority Leader, and Betsy Johnson, the unaffiliated candidate, used to be a Democrat and state senator. Johnson leans more conservative than the majority of Democrats, and has the support of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, the site noted.