Christine Drazan wins Oregon GOP primary for governor, setting up rematch with Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek

State Sen. Christine Drazan has won the Republican nomination for governor of Oregon, NBC News projects, setting up a rematch this fall against Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek.

Drazan emerged from a 14-candidate GOP primary field to advance to the general election. While she will be the underdog in the traditionally blue state, Drazan lost to Kotek by less than 4 points in 2022.

Oregon voters have not elected a Republican as governor since 1982. And Kamala Harris carried the state in the 2024 presidential election by 14 points.

Drazan previously served in the state House, where she was the Republican leader, before she was elected to the state Senate. She has emphasized economic issues like lowering the cost of living and housing in her campaign.

Among the candidates Drazan defeated was Chris Dudley, a former NBA player and financial planner. Dudley was the GOP’s nominee for governor in 2010, when he lost to former Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber by less than 2 points.