Republican Christine Drazan and Democratic Governor Tina Kotek traded attacks over housing and public safety on Monday, following a poll showing Drazan with a slight lead. The phone survey, reported by Portland television station KATU, placed Drazan narrowly ahead of Kotek in a rematch of their 2022 contest.

Kotek won that three-way race by fewer than four percentage points, with independent Betsy Johnson splitting the anti-incumbent vote. Kotek, who took office in January 2023, has faced criticism over homelessness and the state's response to drug policy after Oregon rolled back its decriminalization law.

Drazan, a former state House minority leader, has centered her campaign on affordability and crime, arguing that Democratic leadership has failed Oregon voters. The Kotek campaign disputed the poll's methodology, pointing to Oregon's Democratic voter registration advantage and the state's long record of electing Democratic governors.

Republicans have not won a gubernatorial race in Oregon since 1982, a streak Drazan's team says is now vulnerable. Both campaigns signaled they would ramp up spending and organizing through the summer ahead of the November general election, with national party committees watching the contest as a potential pickup opportunity.