The Democratic Party could lose one of its fiefdoms in the upcoming midterm elections: Oregon. For the last 36 years, the governor has always been from the Democratic Party. Now the Republican Party, with Christine Drazan, is bidding to take back Salem's Mahonia Hall (the official governor's residence).
When Oregon elected its last governor four years ago, Drazan did not even hold public office. It was in 2018 when she won a seat for the Oregon House of Representatives. Now, thanks to her staunch opposition to Democratic policies, polls project her to have a high chance of victory.
"Perfect storm in Oregon could pave way for Republican governor".
We're on the brink of history because Oregonians are demanding change.
Our new direction starts on November 8! https://t.co/1Yy7lbVuxf #orpol
- Christine Drazan (@ChristineDrazan) October 9, 2022
In the 2018 Oregon House of Representatives election, Drazan won 59% of the vote, 19 points ahead of Democratic candidate Elizabeth Graser-Lindsey. In the same elections in 2020, the gap to against her rival increased: Drazan won with 62% of the vote, 27% more than her Democratic rival Tessah Danel.
Roadmap for Oregon's Future
Drazan presented her plan to solve the serious problems facing the state: Roadmap for Oregon's Future. During Governor Kate Brown's tenure, crime was on the rise. In Portland, murders increased 207% between 2019 and 2021. Drazan is against the Defund The Police movement and wants to restore peace on the streets:
Defunding the police and undermining the rule of law has made our communities less safe.
My Roadmap for Oregon's Future calls for fulling funding our police, holding criminals accountable, and restoring safe communities. https://t.co/5Nv6ZrxEqu #orpol
- Christine Drazan (@ChristineDrazan) August 22, 2022
An avowed anti-abortionist, Drazan welcomed the Supreme Court's reversal of the ruling. Roe vs. Wade.
Life wins! My statement regarding today's historic ruling at the U.S Supreme Court: https://t.co/XGrOMFWivM #orpol pic.twitter.com/26lMJws6ET
- Christine Drazan (@ChristineDrazan) June 24, 2022
Oregon had the second-highest rate of addiction of all states in 2020. To solve this, Drazan has proposed the repeal of Measure 110, which decriminalized hard drugs, such as methamphetamine and heroin.
On the economic front, the Republican candidate proposes to reduce taxes and implement job-creating policies to improve the state's economy, which has hit a rough patch.
Drazan's other commitments include defending Oregon's natural resources; supporting the agriculture, livestock and fishing sectors; and helping children (Oregon has the most homeless children in the country).
The beginnings of Drazan and her family
Christine Drazan was born and raised in rural southern Oregon. Her family suffered from the economic instability resulting from the decline of the lumber industry. Despite her family's serious health problems (her mother had multiple sclerosis), they always relied on faith and worked hard to get ahead.
Drazan attended Eagle Point High School and earned a degree in Communications from George Fox University. She currently lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Clackmass County, near Portland.
