SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Thee leading candidates in Oregon’s gubernatorial race used the first debate of the campaign as an opportunity to defines themselves. The Statesman Journal reports that over the 90-minute debate Friday, candidates received questions from a panel of newspaper editors during a meeting of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Former House Speaker Tina Kotek is the Democratic nominee. Former House Republican Leader Christine Drazan is the Republican nominee. Former Sen. Betsy Johnson is running as a nonaffiliated candidate. Drazan and Johnson largely pitched themselves as “change” candidates who would bring a different perspective to a governor’s office that has been held by Democrats since 1987. Kotek promoted herself as the most experienced candidate.
Top OR gubernatorial candidates meet for 1st debate
