Gov. Tina Kotek, one of the few endangered Democratic incumbents in a difficult year for Republicans, prevailed in her re-election bid, The Associated Press said, as she was powered in the end by a pro-Democratic environment in her blue state.
Ms. Kotek, who had been the longest-serving House speaker in Oregon history before winning the governorship four years ago, defeated State Senator Christine Drazan, the same Republican she beat in her first run for governor.
Ms. Kotek ran in 2022 pledging to reduce homelessness, expand access to addiction and mental health services, supercharge housing production and improve public schools. Progress on all of those issues has been far slower than promised.
In 2024, she faced an ethics controversy over her efforts to give her wife an expanded role in state government, prompting the departure of three top aides and forcing the governor to abandon her plans and apologize. A state ethics commission later dismissed complaints against her.
Liberal Democrats in Oregon have been frustrated by Ms. Kotek’s efforts to woo business leaders and work with Republicans. The state’s largest teachers union, a traditional source of Democratic support and get-out-the-vote efforts, opted not to endorse in the race.
Recent polls have shown Ms. Kotek’s dissatisfaction ratings rivaling those of President Trump.
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