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Tina Kotek's uphill climb to reelection

Here's what each candidate proposes to address Oregon's biggest challenges.

News

Four years ago, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/12/portlanders-sour-on-kotek-months-ahead-of-election" data-vars-content-id="4f3d9470-9fd1-4fca-9392-798d758af71e" data-vars-headline="Tina Kotek&#x27;s uphill climb to reelection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/12/portlanders-sour-on-kotek-months-ahead-of-election" target="_self">Gov. Tina Kotek</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="narrowly won" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/democrat-tina-kotek-wins-oregon-governors-race-beating-republican-chri-rcna55388" data-vars-content-id="4f3d9470-9fd1-4fca-9392-798d758af71e" data-vars-headline="Tina Kotek&#x27;s uphill climb to reelection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/democrat-tina-kotek-wins-oregon-governors-race-beating-republican-chri-rcna55388" target="_blank">narrowly won</a> the state&#x27;s top seat. Now she faces a tough rematch against Republican challenger state Sen. Christine Drazan, with polls showing a neck-and-neck race just two weeks before <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Election Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/10/14/2026-election-voter-guide-races-ballot-measure" data-vars-content-id="4f3d9470-9fd1-4fca-9392-798d758af71e" data-vars-headline="Tina Kotek&#x27;s uphill climb to reelection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/10/14/2026-election-voter-guide-races-ballot-measure" target="_self">Election Day</a>. Why it matters: Recent polling suggests the two are in a dead heat. A poll from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="OPB" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/pdf/AOPB%20Fall%202026%20Election%20Survey--Toplines%20(Oregon%20Abridged)--September%202026%20(1)_1791314408859.pdf" data-vars-content-id="4f3d9470-9fd1-4fca-9392-798d758af71e" data-vars-headline="Tina Kotek&#x27;s uphill climb to reelection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/pdf/AOPB%20Fall%202026%20Election%20Survey--Toplines%20(Oregon%20Abridged)--September%202026%20(1)_1791314408859.pdf" target="_blank">OPB</a> showed Drazan leading 47% to 46%, while <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/10/oregon-governors-race-may-be-shifting-new-poll-shows.html" data-vars-content-id="4f3d9470-9fd1-4fca-9392-798d758af71e" data-vars-headline="Tina Kotek&#x27;s uphill climb to reelection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/10/oregon-governors-race-may-be-shifting-new-poll-shows.html" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a> put Kotek ahead 46% to 44% — both within the margin of error.

Oregon voters urged to mail ballots by Tuesday

New USPS postmark practices could put mailed ballots at risk of rejection.

The time has come to mail in your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/09/09/oregon-election-ballot-drop-boxes-mail" data-vars-content-id="f1a2708e-aa1b-4a6e-821c-fc580236133d" data-vars-headline="Oregon voters urged to mail ballots by Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/09/09/oregon-election-ballot-drop-boxes-mail" target="_self">ballot</a> if that&#x27;s how you plan to vote this year.Why it matters: Oregon&#x27;s secretary of state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recommends" data-vars-click-url="https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/current-election.aspx" data-vars-content-id="f1a2708e-aa1b-4a6e-821c-fc580236133d" data-vars-headline="Oregon voters urged to mail ballots by Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/current-election.aspx" target="_blank">recommends</a> mailing ballots by Tuesday to reduce the risk that a late postmark could disqualify your vote.

Portland trick-or-treaters face an early Halloween sunset

Trick-or-treaters will have less daylight to collect candy this Halloween.

Things to Do

Portland trick-or-treaters may not want to wait too long to hit the streets — the Rose City has one of the earliest Halloween sunsets in the nation.Why it matters: Whether your goblins prefer daylight or darkness, local sunset times can help you find the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sweet spot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/09/halloween-candy-map-order" data-vars-content-id="d14f7825-77a3-4e1e-92ae-7d9c507a35da" data-vars-headline="Portland trick-or-treaters face an early Halloween sunset" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/09/halloween-candy-map-order" target="_self">sweet spot</a> for Saturday&#x27;s festivities.

MAX Yellow Line closure disrupts North Portland service

Shuttle buses replace trains as crews work to prevent heat-related rail delays.

Transit

The MAX Yellow line between the Rose Quarter and Expo Center is out of service through Saturday as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TriMet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/09/30/public-transit-ranking-trimet-cuts" data-vars-content-id="37eb1778-9b02-4f82-ad6f-6f192340878d" data-vars-headline="MAX Yellow Line closure disrupts North Portland service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/09/30/public-transit-ranking-trimet-cuts" target="_self">TriMet</a> crews make improvements aimed at preventing future heat-related delays.State of play: The weeklong disruption, which began Sunday, is part of the transit agency&#x27;s efforts to make its aging light-rail system more resilient to extreme weather.

Former Portland landfill gets solar makeover

The project could cut electricity bills by 40% for up to 140 households.

A former landfill in Northeast Portland is being transformed into a community <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/18/pacific-northwest-needs-massive-power-boost" data-vars-content-id="5e715d88-51bd-43ef-8864-a26a1d883642" data-vars-headline="Former Portland landfill gets solar makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/18/pacific-northwest-needs-massive-power-boost" target="_self">solar</a> project expected to begin operating in February.Why it matters: The project could cut electricity bills by around 40% for eligible low-income households, according to the Bird Alliance of Oregon.

Wildfire smoke costs Oregon tourism

Longer smoke events can cost destinations hundreds of thousands in lodging revenue.

Longer periods of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire smoke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/24/wildfire-smoke-deaths-climate-study-oregon" data-vars-content-id="1c9c91ce-aa23-442f-aed4-8c4b570536ca" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke costs Oregon tourism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/24/wildfire-smoke-deaths-climate-study-oregon" target="_self">wildfire smoke</a> are costing Oregon communities thousands in lost tourism revenue.Why it matters: More smoke could reshape where and when people vacation in Oregon during the summer, a new Oregon State University analysis warns.

Oregon's roadless forests face new threat

Nearly 2 million protected acres could see new roads, logging and development.

Environment

The Trump administration moved this week to eliminate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening vast areas in Oregon to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2001 federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">2001 federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

PGE deal revives Forest Park tree removal plan

A new agreement could move the transmission project back toward approval.

A deal between Portland General Electric and the city could revive a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previously blocked plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/29/forest-park-transmission-expansion-trees-old-growth-controversy" data-vars-content-id="5054cc84-8f77-476e-9f5a-8540027dc656" data-vars-headline="PGE deal revives Forest Park tree removal plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/29/forest-park-transmission-expansion-trees-old-growth-controversy" target="_self">previously blocked plan</a> to remove hundreds of trees in Forest Park for transmission-line upgrades.Why it matters: The proposal has drawn strong opposition from conservation groups that argue the environmental costs outweigh the project&#x27;s benefits.

Federal cuts sink Pacific Northwest ocean-monitoring buoys

Researchers warn the loss could weaken climate and ocean data collection.

A federally funded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ocean-monitoring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/25/climate-change-tipping-point-ocean-current-collapse" data-vars-content-id="4dd3b7c7-bf03-4834-97b9-c310da7426c9" data-vars-headline="Federal cuts sink Pacific Northwest ocean-monitoring buoys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/25/climate-change-tipping-point-ocean-current-collapse" target="_self">ocean-monitoring</a> network off Oregon and Washington is beginning to be dismantled after National Science Foundation budget cuts.Why it matters: The removal of research buoys is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest reduction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/01/judge-blocks-ncar-lab-transfer" data-vars-content-id="4dd3b7c7-bf03-4834-97b9-c310da7426c9" data-vars-headline="Federal cuts sink Pacific Northwest ocean-monitoring buoys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/01/judge-blocks-ncar-lab-transfer" target="_self">latest reduction</a> in climate and ocean research under the Trump administration.

Dry winter puts Oregon on edge for wildfires

Officials warn dry vegetation could fuel fast-moving fires this summer.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warm, dry winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/13/oregon-snow-drought-raises-irrigation-fears" data-vars-content-id="d0d4a97c-9186-4443-8ad0-3d24540597aa" data-vars-headline="Dry winter puts Oregon on edge for wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/13/oregon-snow-drought-raises-irrigation-fears" target="_self">warm, dry winter</a> has Oregon officials warning of an intense wildfire season fueled by low snowpack and human-caused fire risks.The big picture: Very dry vegetation in all its forms could allow fires to spread rapidly across Oregon this summer.

Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish

The potential for widespread die-off events and disease is high.

Historically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="low snowpack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" data-vars-content-id="918c4efa-fb3e-43d3-8ab3-d180aa181bf5" data-vars-headline="Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" target="_self">low snowpack</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="widespread drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2026/05/a-third-of-oregon-counties-now-have-drought-emergencies-state-says.html" data-vars-content-id="918c4efa-fb3e-43d3-8ab3-d180aa181bf5" data-vars-headline="Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2026/05/a-third-of-oregon-counties-now-have-drought-emergencies-state-says.html" target="_blank">widespread drought</a> are causing rivers to run lower and warmer earlier than usual this year, raising chances of die-offs and disease outbreaks among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="native fish species" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/09/columbia-river-basin-salmon-restoration" data-vars-content-id="918c4efa-fb3e-43d3-8ab3-d180aa181bf5" data-vars-headline="Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/09/columbia-river-basin-salmon-restoration" target="_self">native fish species</a> as we head into summer.Why it matters: Salmon, trout and steelhead remain critical to river ecosystems, and they are deeply tied to Oregon&#x27;s cultural identity, recreation economy and tribal communities.

Oregon snow drought raises irrigation fears

Farmers are preparing for severe water shortages this summer.

Oregon&#x27;s near-record low <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snowpack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" data-vars-content-id="adffbda1-5a73-4677-8f2a-2f2ba97dab0d" data-vars-headline="Oregon snow drought raises irrigation fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" target="_self">snowpack</a> is raising fears of severe irrigation shortages ahead of farms&#x27; summer growing season.Why it matters: Agriculture makes up roughly 13% of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon&#x27;s gross product" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonfb.org/oregon-agriculture" data-vars-content-id="adffbda1-5a73-4677-8f2a-2f2ba97dab0d" data-vars-headline="Oregon snow drought raises irrigation fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonfb.org/oregon-agriculture" target="_blank">Oregon&#x27;s gross product</a> — with around $5 billion in annual production — so water shortages will have ripple effects across the state&#x27;s economy.

Columbia Slough cleanup brings neglected waterway back to life

A major restoration project is turning a once-polluted waterway into a thriving habitat.

Behind a chain-link fence at the end of a road in Northeast Portland, a stretch of one of the city&#x27;s most neglected and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polluted waterways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/26/harbor-cleanup-soil-fill-toxic-lagoon-plan" data-vars-content-id="d6442b72-5feb-45e5-b4b3-a4a5a84b0794" data-vars-headline="Columbia Slough cleanup brings neglected waterway back to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/26/harbor-cleanup-soil-fill-toxic-lagoon-plan" target="_self">polluted waterways</a> is getting new life.Why it matters: The Columbia Slough, which runs parallel to the Columbia for about 19 miles, has been turned into a natural oasis in a heavily industrialized pocket of Portland.

Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit

Opponents say penalties could raise energy costs as climate rules face another lawsuit.

Oregon&#x27;s signature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/21/oregon-climate-emissions-regulations" data-vars-content-id="36c36485-4f59-4fee-90ad-2689d1276098" data-vars-headline="Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/21/oregon-climate-emissions-regulations" target="_self">climate program</a> faces a new lawsuit challenging the state&#x27;s authority to impose financial penalties on carbon emitters.Why it matters: The case again puts the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Protection Program&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx" data-vars-content-id="36c36485-4f59-4fee-90ad-2689d1276098" data-vars-headline="Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Climate Protection Program&#x27;s</a> legal footing at risk just a year after regulators reinstated it.