A newly published poll claims that Oregon, a state that has not elected a Republican governor since 1982, could do so in the upcoming November election. The survey places Republican State Senator Christine Drazan ahead of the incumbent Democratic governor, Tina Kotek, in what would be a significant political upset for a state long regarded as reliably liberal.

According to results obtained by Oregon Live, 48 per cent of those surveyed said they would likely or definitely vote for Drazan, compared with 44 per cent for Kotek. However, the four-point lead sits within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus four points, and the survey was conducted at the end of June by a Republican-aligned firm working for Drazan's own campaign. Drazan's team reportedly presented the findings to lobbyists and potential donors this week; a victory would make her the first Republican governor of Oregon since Victor Atiyeh, last elected in 1982.