Retired Trail Blazer Chris Dudley announces run for Oregon governor

Dudley will face several other Republican candidates in the primary race.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:31am

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Former Portland Trail Blazers player Chris Dudley has announced his candidacy for Oregon governor as a Republican. Dudley will face off against Oregon State Senator Christine Drazan, State Representative Ed Diehl, and Marion County Commission Chair Danielle Bethell in the Republican primary.

Why it matters

Dudley's entry into the race adds a high-profile candidate with name recognition from his NBA career. The Oregon gubernatorial race is expected to be competitive, with the seat currently held by a Democrat who is not running for re-election.

The details

Dudley played for the Trail Blazers from 1993 to 1997 and has been involved in politics before, running unsuccessfully for Oregon governor in 2010. He will now face several other Republican candidates in the primary as they vie to replace the outgoing Democratic governor.

  • Dudley announced his candidacy on January 27, 2026.

The players

Chris Dudley

A former NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers who is now running for Oregon governor as a Republican.

Christine Drazan

An Oregon state senator running for the Republican nomination for governor.

Ed Diehl

An Oregon state representative running for the Republican nomination for governor.

Danielle Bethell

The Marion County Commission Chair running for the Republican nomination for Oregon governor.

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What’s next

The Republican primary election in Oregon is scheduled for May 2026, with the general election to follow in November 2026.

The takeaway

Dudley's entry into the Oregon governor's race adds an experienced candidate with name recognition, but he will face a competitive Republican primary before potentially facing the Democratic nominee in the general election.