Ex-NBA Star Chris Dudley Enters Oregon Governor’s Race With Critique of Political Gridlock
Cleveland Cavaliers Larry Nance (22) stuffs the ball over New Jersey Nets Chris Dudley in the third period of their Eastern Conference playoff game at the Meadowlands Arena, Thursday, May 1, 1992, East Rutherford, N.J. The Cavaliers went on to win the game 98-89 to advance in the playoff Series. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
By Sam Barron | Monday, January 26, 2026
Chris Dudley, who spent 16 years in the NBA, announced Monday his candidacy for governor of Oregon.
Dudley, a former Portland Trail Blazers player who ran for governor in 2010 after losing by two points and raising $10 million, said: “The empty promises, the name-calling, the finger-pointing, and fearmongering that has solved nothing must stop. There are real solutions, and I have a plan.”
Dudley vowed to focus on public safety, affordability, and education if elected.
After retiring from the NBA, Dudley, a Yale graduate, worked in finance and now runs a nonprofit supporting children with diabetes.
Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek is expected to seek reelection but has seen her approval ratings lag in the deep blue state.
Dudley stated: “It’s imperative that we get somebody from outside of Salem who’s away from partisan politics and the name calling, finger pointing. Who has the expertise and background to bring people together and solve these issues?”
In the Republican primary race, Dudley is challenging incumbent state Senator Christine Drazan, who lost to Kotek by four points in 2022.
Other candidates include Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell and state Representative Ed Diehl.
Bethell has raised approximately $176,000 since January 2025. Diehl, a Republican from Scio who helped lead efforts to halt transportation tax hikes, entered the race last week with about $46,800 in contributions since early 2025.
According to polling data, Kotek’s approval ratings have remained below 50 percent.
Oregon has not elected a Republican governor since Victor Atiyeh won reelection in 1982, though recent gubernatorial races have featured narrow margins.
Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, has donated $3 million to a Republican-aligned PAC focused on increasing GOP representation in the Oregon legislature.
The Democratic Governors Association criticized Dudley’s entry into the race. Johanna Warshaw, deputy communications director for the group, said: “Oregon Republicans are already facing a messy, crowded primary — and failed candidate Chris Dudley’s entrance will only push every candidate further to the right and out of step with Oregonians.”
Sam Barron has covered politics, crime, and business for nearly two decades.
