PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon residents are confronting a recurring political pattern in Tuesday’s primary election — well-funded Democratic office holders attempting to fend off lesser-known opponents while Republicans work to select candidates capable of mounting competitive campaigns in November within this predominantly blue state.
The most significant Election Day attention will focus not on individual candidate contests but on a ballot question seeking to overturn legislation approved last autumn by the Democratic-majority Legislature that increased the state’s gasoline tax and raised multiple fees.
The bill represented Democrats’ solution to address Oregon’s transportation funding needs as officials forecast declining gas tax collections due to the growing use of fuel-efficient, electric and hybrid automobiles. Gasoline tax revenue serves as the primary funding mechanism for road repairs and highway improvements.
The ballot question, designated as Measure 120, appears before voters while gasoline costs are surging across the nation due to the conflict in Iran. The state’s Democratic governor, Tina Kotek, along with fellow party legislators have conceded the ballot measure faces an uphill battle for approval. A yes vote indicates voter support for the gas tax hike while a no vote signals rejection.
“It’s going to lose, so we might as well get on to the work of finding alternatives,” said Democratic state Rep. Paul Evans, predicting voters will oppose the gas tax increase. “It has been a frustrating year.”
Republicans launched petition drives to reverse the tax and fee hikes shortly after Kotek approved the legislation. They quickly collected more than triple the required signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.
With the referendum occurring during a period of escalating gas prices, Republicans are attempting to counter national Democrats’ messaging about affordability and reducing living costs during this year’s midterm elections.
“Oregonians are paying more today and not getting more in return,” said Republican state Sen. Bruce Starr, who helped spearhead the referendum effort. “So are they going to, at the polls, vote to increase the price of gas another six cents? I doubt it.”
The Democrats’ transportation funding legislation increased the state gas tax from 40 cents per gallon to 46 cents per gallon while also raising a payroll tax for transit projects and vehicle registration and title fees. At a Portland gas station recently, some voters expressed understanding for the need to generate revenue for road maintenance while others indicated a tax increase was simply too burdensome.
“At a time when everything is more costly … nobody wants to pay more for anything,” said Josh Hansen, 39.
Kotek and fellow Democrats have connected rising gas prices to President Donald Trump’s decision to engage in war with Iran, though the party has not mounted organized efforts to support the gas tax increase on the ballot. Should the tax and fee increases succeed, they would become effective 30 days following voter approval.
Trump, meanwhile, recently announced plans to suspend the federal gas tax of 18 cents per gallon, which would require Congressional approval.
Kotek is competing in the Democratic primary for governor while seeking reelection. Although she faces nine primary challengers, they have reported minimal or no fundraising and lack elected office experience.
Republicans have a packed primary field of 14 candidates competing to challenge her in November. The group includes state Sen. Christine Drazan, who was defeated by Kotek in the 2022 general election, and state Rep. Ed Diehl, who helped spearhead the gas tax referendum effort.
The primary also features Chris Dudley, a former NBA player whose career included time with the Portland Trail Blazers and who narrowly lost a previous gubernatorial campaign in 2010, and David Medina, a conservative influencer who was among those charged following 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.
Thus far, Drazan and Dudley have reported the highest fundraising totals. Dudley notably secured a $1 million contribution from Phil Knight, the billionaire co-founder of Nike, which is based in Oregon.
The eventual Republican nominee confronts a challenging route to the governor’s office. Democrats appear motivated nationwide this year, and Oregon hasn’t chosen a Republican governor in more than 40 years.
Voters are also selecting nominees in primaries for U.S. Senate and the state’s six U.S. House seats, five of which are currently held by Democrats.
Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, viewed as its most competitive, was captured by Republicans for the first time in decades in 2022 but reclaimed by Democrats in 2024. The district extends from southern Portland across the Cascade Range to Bend.
The incumbent, Democratic Rep. Janelle Bynum, maintains more than $2 million in campaign funds and is facing a primary challenger who has not reported any fundraising.
Two candidates, a county commissioner and a political consultant, are competing in the district’s Republican primary.
The remaining U.S. House seats are viewed as largely secure for current incumbents.
While the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Democrat Jeff Merkley is also considered safe for him, seven Republicans are competing in the primary to challenge him in the fall.
