A GOP gov in liberal Oregon? Dems sound alarm on ‘spoiler’

By ANDREW SELSKY and SARA BURNETT
Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon is typically known as a bastion of West Coast liberalism where Democrats are easily elected and a Republican hasn’t served as governor since the 1980s. But with an unusually competitive three-way contest this fall, the Democratic candidate doesn’t seem so assured of winning. The main reason for the race’s unpredictability is Betsy Johnson, a longtime former Democratic lawmaker who is running as an unaffiliated candidate. Democrats call her a spoiler who is taking votes from Tina Kotek. That could mean a victory for Republican Christine Drazan. President Joe Biden campaigned for Kotek on Friday. Mail-in ballots become available to voters next week.