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Drazan and Kotek Attack Each Other in First Debate: Live Updates
The candidates clashed over housing, education and data centers, while voters in the crowd reacted strongly to several of Drazan’s answers.
- On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, Governor Tina Kotek and State Senator Christine Drazan held their first gubernatorial debate at the University of Oregon in Eugene, trading barbs throughout the night.
- Campaign finance records show Kotek and Drazan are nearly even in spending, with Kotek's campaign at $10.6 million and Drazan's at $10.5 million in the 2026 election.
- Kotek blamed postal service problems on "your president," referencing Donald Trump, while accusing Drazan of climate denial—a claim Drazan called "absurd." The candidates also sparred over the POWER Act.
- Audience members at the University of Oregon event showed clear preference for Kotek, though several attendees doubted the debate would sway many voters or change minds.
- Additional debates are scheduled for Medford on Oct. 7 and Bend on Oct. 13 as campaigns push toward the Nov. 3 election.
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Students, professors, community view governor’s debate at campus watch party
Oregon’s incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan faced off at their first gubernatorial debate at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The live watch party, hosted by the UO School of Journalism and Communication in the Ford Alumni Center, drew a crowd of approximately 70 students, professors and residents. The debate itself...
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 27%
C 64%
Factuality
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