Oregon Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ed Diehl waves as he’s introduced alongside competitors, from left, Christine Drazan, Danielle Bethell and Chris Dudley during the 2026 Oregon Republican Gubernatorial Debate in Hillsboro, Ore., April 16, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
The four leading Republicans hoping to be Oregon’s next governor had their first debate Thursday night.
OPB will have a full recap of the debate in Hillsboro later Thursday night.
The debate, hosted by the GOP, featured the top contenders discussing a wide range of issues from the state’s housing crisis to the environment and forestry to public safety.
Two of the candidates have experience running gubernatorial races. State Sen. Christine Drazan, of Canby, ran against Democratic nominee Tina Kotek in 2022. Chris Dudley, a former Portland Trail Blazer center, lost by a slim margin to Democratic former Gov. John Kitzhaber in 2010.
The other leading contenders include state Rep. Ed Diehl, of Scio, and Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell. Diehl was crucial in collecting enough signatures to ask voters to weigh in on a gas tax increase.
This story will be updated.
