Who is running for governor?

Incumbent Governor Tina Kotek is making a bid for a second four-year term. She faces nine Democratic primary challengers, including a children’s book author, the leader of an Indigenous nonprofit, and an inventor who hopes to address water shortages. In the Republican primary, 14 candidates are competing, including Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, state Rep. Ed Diehl, state Sen. Christine Drazan, and former NBA player Chris Dudley, who previously ran for governor in 2010 and received about 48% of the vote in the general election.

Key counties and national implications

The key counties in both Democratic and Republican primaries are Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties in the Portland area, and Lane County, which is home to Eugene. Salem-based Marion County, Jackson County, and Deschutes County also contribute significant amounts of vote in both parties’ primaries.

Kotek has made former President Donald Trump a top foil in her campaign. The vote also includes Measure 120, which would raise gas taxes to pay for improvements to the state’s roads and bridges. This measure comes as gas prices have steadily climbed since the start of the war between the US and Iran.

Primary logistics and context

Polls will open on Tuesday at 7am Pacific US time (15:00 GMT) and close at 8pm (4:00 GMT). In addition to the governor’s race, voters will also choose candidates for U.S. Senate and all six U.S. House seats. Only one member of Congress is facing no opposition for renomination.

The packed field of roughly 25 contenders, both Democrats and Republicans, is jockeying to replace Tina Kotek. Tuesday’s vote could also serve as an economic bellwether, with voters weighing in on a referendum that could repeal a state fuel tax.