move to suspend the federal gas tax<\/a> of 18 cents a gallon, which would need to be approved by Congress.<\/p>\nLate Tuesday afternoon, a steady stream of voters arrived at a Portland library serving as a ballot drop site. Even in the progressive hub, Democratic voters were divided on the measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like the roads need to be repaired as a bicyclist, so I voted yes,\u201d said Gail Watnick, a 56-year-old who arrived by bike wearing a bright yellow helmet.<\/p>\n
David Trujillo, 25, said he voted for Kotek in the primary but voted against the gas tax increase.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think at the moment, with the gas prices being up and with the war that is occurring, it\u2019s very difficult for folks to get around,\u201d he said. \u201cIf the gas prices were to rise, I think that would be a huge barrier for more of our community members.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kotek, who is seeking reelection, faced nine primary opponents who reported raising little to no money and don’t have experience in elected office.<\/p>\n
Republicans have a crowded primary field of 14 candidates vying to run against her in November. They include state Sen. Christine Drazan, who lost to Kotek in the 2022 general election, and state Rep. Ed Diehl, who helped lead the gas tax referendum campaign.<\/p>\n
The primary also includes Chris Dudley, a former NBA player whose career included time with the Portland Trail Blazers and who narrowly lost a previous bid for governor in 2010, and David Medina, a conservative influencer who was among those charged after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and pardoned by President Donald Trump last year. Medina faced charges that included obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors that included destruction of government property and disorderly and disruptive conduct.<\/p>\n
So far, Drazan and Dudley have reported raising the most money. Dudley notably received a $1 million contribution from Phil Knight, the billionaire co-founder of Nike, which is based in Oregon.<\/p>\n
Whoever emerges faces a difficult path to the governor’s office. Democrats appear energized around the country this year, and Oregon hasn’t elected a Republican governor in over 40 years.<\/p>\n
Voters also are casting ballots in primaries for U.S. Senate and the state’s six U.S. House seats, five of which are held by Democrats.<\/p>\n
Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, considered its most competitive, was flipped by Republicans for the first time in decades in 2022 but reclaimed by Democrats in 2024. The district stretches from southern Portland across the Cascade Range to Bend.<\/p>\n
The incumbent, Democratic Rep. Janelle Bynum, has more than $2 million on hand and is running against a primary opponent who has not reported raising any money.<\/p>\n
Two candidates, a county commissioner and a political consultant, are running in the district\u2019s Republican primary. <\/p>\n
The other U.S. House seats are considered largely safe for the current incumbents.<\/p>\n
Seven Republicans are running in the primary to challenge Merkley in the fall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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