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Canby Today
By the People, for the People
Top GOP Candidates Skip Oregon Governor Debate
Drazan and Buehler decline to join Oregonian/KGW event ahead of primary
Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:26am
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The absence of leading Republican candidates from a key pre-primary debate raises questions about transparency and voter engagement in Oregon's gubernatorial race.Canby TodayTwo leading Republican candidates for Oregon governor, Sen. Christine Drazan and former Rep. Knute Buehler, have declined to participate in a planned debate hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive and TV station KGW. The debate was set to feature the top GOP contenders ahead of the state's primary election.
Why it matters
Debates are a crucial part of the democratic process, allowing voters to directly compare candidates and their positions. The absence of Drazan and Buehler, who are considered frontrunners in the Republican primary, could deprive Oregon voters of a chance to fully vet the leading GOP gubernatorial hopefuls.
The details
Drazan, a Republican state senator from Canby, and Buehler, a former GOP state representative, both cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for declining the debate invitation. The Oregonian/KGW event was set to be one of the few joint appearances of the top Republican candidates before the May 19 primary.
- The debate was planned for April 2026, ahead of Oregon's May 19 primary election.
The players
Sen. Christine Drazan
A Republican state senator from Canby, Oregon who is running for governor.
Knute Buehler
A former Republican state representative who is also running for Oregon governor.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident
The takeaway
The absence of the two leading GOP candidates from this debate deprives Oregon voters of a chance to directly compare the top Republican contenders for governor ahead of the primary election. This could make it harder for voters to make an informed decision at the ballot box.
