Oregon gubernatorial election, 2026 (May 19 Republican primary)
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← 2022
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| Governor of Oregon |
|---|
| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: March 3, 2026 (incumbent) March 10, 2026 (non-incumbent) |
| Primary: May 19, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Democratic Inside Elections: Solid Democratic |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2026 Impact of term limits in 2026 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| Oregon executive elections |
| Governor |
A Republican Party primary takes place on May 19, 2026, in Oregon to determine which candidate will earn the right to run as the party's nominee in the state's gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026.
This page focuses on Oregon's Republican Party gubernatorial primary. For more in-depth information on Oregon's Democratic gubernatorial primary and the general election, see the following pages:
Candidates and election results
Republican primary
Republican primary for Governor of Oregon
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for Governor of Oregon on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| | Danielle Bethell ![]() | |
| Hope Dalrymple | ||
| | Ed Diehl | |
| | Christine Drazan | |
| | Chris Dudley | |
| Kyle Duyck | ||
| | David Medina ![]() | |
| Robert Neuman | ||
| | Brad T. Peters ![]() | |
| | Paul Romero ![]() | |
| DeAngelo Turner | ||
| | Wen Waddell ![]() | |
| | Martin Ward | |
| | Tim Youker ![]() | |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- David Burch (R)
- Caleb Kintz (R)
- Patrick Kopke-Hales (R)
- Matthew Piatt (R)
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Submitted Biography: "I’m running because I’ve spent the last five years turning crisis into progress at the county level and I know we can do the same statewide. As Commissioner for Marion County, the fifth largest county in Oregon, equally urban and equally rural, I’ve seen firsthand how disconnected state government has become. While others debate theory, I’ve balanced budgets, negotiated contracts, and kept public safety systems funded. I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with wildfire survivors, addiction counselors, and small-town mayors. I’ve fought for housing and infrastructure projects that matter to both working families and small businesses. That hands-on executive experience is exactly what Oregon hasn’t had in the Governor’s Office for far too long, and it shows. I’m not an off-the-shelf candidate. I haven’t spent my life climbing the political ladder or building a career in rulemaking. I’ve been in the trenches. Starting a business, raising a family, then working in local government. Negotiating contracts, balancing budgets, and making tough calls when the state walked away. While others draft laws from a distance, I’ve been the one responsible for turning those laws into results people can actually feel in their daily lives."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Submitted Biography: "David Medina is a lifelong Oregonian, small business owner, and a leading conservative voice in the Pacific Northwest. With a digital reach that spans millions worldwide, David has built a massive grassroots platform by delivering a bold, faith-centered message from one of America’s most progressive regions. A frequent collaborator with national figures like Benny Johnson and PragerU, David is now running for Governor of Oregon in 2026 to break the cycle of leftist, one-party rule. His campaign is built on a foundation of Constitutional values, parental rights, and a commitment to restoring Oregon’s economy for working families. A devoted father and a Christian man of faith, David lives in the Portland area, where he remains active in grassroots activism throughout the community. As Governor, he will be focused on building a brighter future for the next generation of Oregonians."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Submitted Biography: "Oregon is divided, and I understand both worlds. I'm running to be a Governor for all of Oregon. I bring a new perspective, fresh options, and a new vision to government. My experience in the tech sector gives me the background to forge a path for Oregon government which is more streamlined, adaptive to a changing business climate, and responsive to the needs of Oregonians. My background, in brief, includes a BS Computer Science, BS Biochemistry & Biophysics, and MBA from Oregon State University. Led critical PowerPC engineering at IBM, built the Tizen OS and Clear Linux at Intel, headed Intel's open-source security response across 3,800 projects, and founded the CSL blockchain platform. For almost two decades, 11 at Intel and 6 at IBM, I've led research on cutting-edge platforms, coordinated product development between Intel, IBM, Samsung, and Red Hat, and spent 4 years leading Intel's open-source security response efforts. I understand the technology reshaping our world. A tidal wave of change is about to sweep over Oregon, driven by AI and automation. Who do you want leading Oregon through transformation?"
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Submitted Biography: "I’ve always said the Constitution and Rule of Law comes first – not the political machine, not the donor class, not the masses or who screams the loudest, and not the good old boys’ club. I am a registered Republican because I believe in freedom, fiscal responsibility, and personal accountability. But what I’ve seen in Oregon and across the country tells me something bigger is needed. That’s why I’m officially running for Governor of Oregon, as a candidate truly representing “We the People.” I am not a traditional politician; I am a project manager. Make no mistake, Government is “business” and when run under the limitations of our Constitution and Rule of Law, IT WORKS for everyone! My goals are to finish each project timely and under budget. Whether it’s auditing, fixing, or building, I have all the skills to successfully address the problems we face in Oregon today. As a Navy Veteran who is in good standing with a Top-Secret SCI clearance during my Navy career, I swore an oath to my country and Constitution. This campaign is not about sides. It is about true representation standing for all Oregonians. Oregonians are tired of being taxed, lied to, abused, and ignored. As a Navy veteran, a substitute teacher, a father and a brand-new grandfather, I’ve seen the systems break from the inside out. There is too much special interest influence and nepotism in all of government that we’ve lost common sense and decency. BS in Workforce Education & Development."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Submitted Biography: "Hello, I am Wendy (Wen) Waddell. I have called Oregon home since 2009, and it is here that I have built my life, my purpose, and my commitment to service. I am engaged to a lifelong Oregonian and retired United States Army Ranger who served 22 years & 6 tours for our country. We share a simple but unwavering belief: All people deserve respect equally and no one gets left behind. Service is not a new chapter in my life—it is where my story began. From an early age, I knew I would be called to work where lives are protected, large problems are solved, and responsibility is embraced. I am strong, prepared, and ready to serve the people of Oregon. My values are rooted in integrity. I carry strong ethics and personal responsibility. I do not understand the need for deception, when truth, spoken plainly, with respect, and honestly, is far more powerful. Trust is built through transparency, and leadership is grounded in clarity. "Tell it like it is" Aaron Neville "As Governor, you need a steady moral compass, respect for the constitution, and the strength to stand firm when things get hard. I bring all three". -Wen"
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Submitted Biography: "It's been a long rewarding life that has prepared me for the top office in Oregon as your next Governor. I am focused on grass roots issues, solving tough issues like JOBS and the economic recovery for everyone Oregon. Having Project Management skills, Problem Solving and Decision Making experience, also as a business owner and much more experience, this has shaped my furniture as a leader uniting Oregonians. I Started with every community, every neighborhood one block at a time making it better we're I lived. Just by picking up trash, I impacted the hole community. What's next you ask? By learning to make real changes in Oregon and when everyone starts picking up trash in their community, we have adopted one block at a time. So It doesn't really matter what others do, it's what you do that really matters in your community. This action actually make sense, it's something all Oregonians can do. Just by cleaning up our neighborhoods. Change is coming to make Oregon Great Again. I know first hand that It's almost impossible working alone making positive changes in my community. The truth is when Oregonians work together we can accomplish almost anything. Voting for real change, Tim O Youker Canadate for Oregon Governor."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Oregon
Election analysis
Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.
- Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
- Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
- State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
- Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
Cook PVI by congressional district
| District | Incumbent | PVI |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon's 1st | Suzanne Bonamici | D+20 |
| Oregon's 2nd | Cliff Bentz | R+14 |
| Oregon's 3rd | Maxine Dexter | D+24 |
| Oregon's 4th | Val Hoyle | D+6 |
| Oregon's 5th | Janelle Bynum | D+4 |
| Oregon's 6th | Andrea Salinas | D+6 |
2024 presidential results by 2026 congressional district lines
| District | Kamala Harris | Donald Trump |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon's 1st | 67.0% | 29.0% |
| Oregon's 2nd | 35.0% | 62.0% |
| Oregon's 3rd | 71.0% | 25.0% |
| Oregon's 4th | 54.0% | 42.0% |
| Oregon's 5th | 53.0% | 44.0% |
| Oregon's 6th | 54.0% | 43.0% |
| Source: The Downballot | ||
2016-2024
How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:
| County-level voting pattern categories | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | |||||||
| Status | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | ||||
| Solid Democratic | D | D | D | ||||
| Trending Democratic | R | D | D | ||||
| Battleground Democratic | D | R | D | ||||
| New Democratic | R | R | D | ||||
| Republican | |||||||
| Status | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | ||||
| Solid Republican | R | R | R | ||||
| Trending Republican | D | R | R | ||||
| Battleground Republican | R | D | R | ||||
| New Republican | D | D | R | ||||
Following the 2024 presidential election, 59.6% of Iowans lived in one of the state's 93 Solid Republican counties, which voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from 2016 to 2024, and 34.9% lived in one of 5 Solid Democratic counties. Overall, Iowa was Solid Republican, having voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016, Donald Trump (R) in 2020, and Donald Trump (R) in 2024. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Iowa following the 2024 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.
| Oregon county-level statistics, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Democratic | 8 | 56.8% | |||||
| Solid Republican | 26 | 30.0% | |||||
| Battleground Republican | 1 | 8.2% | |||||
| Trending Democratic | 1 | 4.9% | |||||
| Total voted Democratic | 9 | 61.8% | |||||
| Total voted Republican | 27 | 38.2% | |||||
Historical voting trends
Oregon presidential election results (1900-2024)
- 16 Democratic wins
- 16 Republican wins
| Year | 1900 | 1904 | 1908 | 1912 | 1916 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winning Party | R | R | R | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.
U.S. Senate elections
The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Oregon.
Gubernatorial elections
- See also: Governor of Oregon
The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Oregon.
- See also: Party control of Oregon state government
Congressional delegation
The table below displays the partisan composition of Oregon's congressional delegation as of October 2025.
| Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Oregon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
| Democratic | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Republican | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vacancies | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 6 | 8 |
State executive
The table below displays the officeholders in Oregon's top three state executive offices as of October 2025.
| Office | Officeholder |
|---|---|
| Governor | |
| Secretary of State | |
| Attorney General |
State legislature
Oregon State Senate
| Party | As of January 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 18 | |
| Republican Party | 12 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 30 | |
Oregon House of Representatives
| Party | As of January 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 37 | |
| Republican Party | 23 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 60 | |
Trifecta control
Oregon Party Control: 1992-2025
Seventeen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
The table below details demographic data in Oregon and compares it to the broader United States as of 2023.
| Demographic Data for Oregon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | United States | |
| Population | 4,237,256 | 331,449,281 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 95,996 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 76.6% | 63.4% |
| Black/African American | 1.9% | 12.4% |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.8% |
| Native American | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Other (single race) | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| Multiple | 10.8% | 10.7% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 14.3% | 19% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 91.7% | 89.4% |
| College graduation rate | 36.2% | 35% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $80,426 | $78,538 |
| Persons below poverty level | 11.9% | 12.4% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2018-2023). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
State profile
| Demographic data for Oregon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 4,024,634 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 95,988 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 85.1% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 1.8% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 4% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 1.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 4.1% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 12.3% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 89.8% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 30.8% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $51,243 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 18.4% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Oregon. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Oregon
Oregon voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, two are located in Oregon, accounting for 0.97 percent of the total pivot counties.[1]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Oregon had two Retained Pivot Counties, 1.10 of all Retained Pivot Counties.
More Oregon coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Oregon
- United States congressional delegations from Oregon
- Public policy in Oregon
- Endorsers in Oregon
- Oregon fact checks
- More...
See also
| Oregon | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
