Oregon Could Elect Its First Republican Governor Since 1982

Oregon voters could be ready to elect their first Republican governor since the 1980s, according to a poll released this week.

Thirty-two percent of Oregon voters say they would vote for Republican candidate Christine Drazan, according to an independent poll published by the Oregonian on Wednesday. Democratic candidate Tina Kotek is neck and neck with Drazan at 31 percent—the second time this year a poll has shown Kotek trailing behind. Independent candidate Betsy Johnson sits at 18 percent.

If she wins, Drazan would be the first Republican governor elected in Oregon since 1982, when GOP incumbent Victor Atiyeh won reelection.

The news comes as Democrats mount a massive campaign to keep Oregon blue. The Democratic Governors Association this year has donated more than $3 million to Kotek, including $1.25 million in September. The Cook Political Report and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics have both moved the race to a "tossup" since August.