NBA Star Announces Governor Run
Former NBA veteran Chris Dudley officially announced Monday that he is running for governor of Oregon, entering a competitive Republican primary as voters continue to express frustration with rising costs and public safety concerns across the state.
Dudley, who spent 16 seasons in professional basketball and played six years with the Portland Trail Blazers, is making his second attempt at the governor’s office. He previously ran statewide in 2010, losing by a narrow two-point margin after raising approximately $10 million.
In his campaign announcement, Dudley said Oregon’s political climate has become consumed by rhetoric rather than results.
“Oregonians are tired of the promises, the finger-pointing, and the politics that never seem to fix anything,” Dudley said. “There are real solutions, and I’m prepared to lead.”
Dudley said his campaign will focus on public safety, affordability, and education, three issues that continue to rank among the top concerns for Oregon voters, particularly older residents and families on fixed incomes.
After retiring from basketball, Dudley transitioned into the private sector. A graduate of Yale University, he worked in finance before founding a nonprofit organization that supports children living with diabetes.
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is widely expected to seek reelection, though recent polling has shown her approval rating remaining below 50 percent, even in a state long considered safely Democratic. Analysts note that voter dissatisfaction over crime, housing costs, and economic pressures has created uncertainty ahead of the election.
Speaking to local media, Dudley emphasized the need for leadership outside the state’s entrenched political culture.
“Oregon needs someone who understands how to solve problems, not just talk about them,” he said. “Someone with experience beyond the political system.”
The Republican primary is expected to draw multiple candidates. Dudley will face state Sen. Christine Drazan, the party’s 2022 nominee, along with Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell and state Rep. Ed Diehl.
Campaign finance disclosures show Bethell has raised approximately $176,000 since January 2025. Diehl, who recently played a role in efforts to block transportation tax increases, has raised roughly $46,800 since early last year.
While Oregon has not elected a Republican governor since Victor Atiyeh won reelection in 1982, recent statewide races have been decided by single-digit margins, suggesting shifting political dynamics.
Adding to Republican enthusiasm, Nike co-founder Phil Knight donated $3 million last year to a political action committee focused on expanding GOP representation in the state legislature, according to local reports.
Democrats responded quickly to Dudley’s announcement, with the Democratic Governors Association criticizing the growing Republican field. Despite the early criticism, Dudley’s entry brings renewed attention to a race that could become one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the Pacific Northwest.
