MEMO: Christine Drazan Enters Oregon Governor’s Race with Extreme MAGA Agenda Already Rejected by Oregonians

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: DGA Political Director Jordy Zeigler

RE: Christine Drazan Enters Oregon Governor’s Race with Extreme MAGA Agenda Already Rejected by Oregonians

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2022 loser Christine Drazan enters the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary as a failed candidate with an extreme MAGA agenda that’s already been rejected by Oregonians.

National Republicans went all in on Drazan in 2022, pouring over $7 million into her campaign for an open seat in a cycle where national headwinds strongly favored Republicans. There was even a well-funded third party candidate on the ballot expected to boost Drazan’s candidacy – and she still lost by over three points. Now, Drazan is back for another doomed attempt to bring Donald Trump-agenda politics to Salem.

Drazan’s toxic record includes backing a dangerous abortion ban, cowering to Trump as he takes over the Oregon National Guard in a brazen abuse of power, voting against Medicaid funding for Oregonians and then refusing to stand up to Trump as he further guts their health care, and voting against affordable housing. She doesn’t have the backbone to stand up to Donald Trump – and Oregon can’t afford a governor who won’t defend their state.

CHRISTINE DRAZAN = DONALD TRUMP IN DISGUISE

No matter how much she tries to hide it, Christine Drazan has proven to be Donald Trump in disguise. Like Trump, Drazan:

• Supports a dangerous abortion ban that would take away a woman’s right to choose.
• Voted to cut funding for Medicaid, threatening health care for 1.3 million Oregonians.
• Panders to MAGA extremists, including far-right MAGA extremists, January 6th rioters, and election deniers.
• Wants to eliminate Oregon’s vote-by-mail system, a model of secure, accessible elections.

If you need any more proof that Christine Drazan is a Trump acolyte, look no further than her cowering to Trump as he mobilizes federal troops into Portland. While members of her own party call out Donald Trump for his brazen abuses of power, Drazan has failed to speak out against Trump’s takeover, proving she will always put Trump over Oregon.

Drazan has also been radio silent as Trump and D.C. Republicans gutted Medicaid, forcing an estimated 200,000 Oregonians to lose their healthcare.

DRAZAN’S RECORD IS WRONG FOR OREGON

Reproductive Freedom

Drazan is deeply out of step with Oregonians when it comes to reproductive freedom. She opposes a woman’s right to choose and was even endorsed by Oregon Right to Life, a radical group that opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest.

With reproductive rights under attack nationwide, Oregonians deserve a governor who defends their freedoms – not one who would further roll back decades of progress.

MAGA Ties

Like Trump, Drazan has repeatedly pandered to far-right MAGA extremists, January 6th rioters, and election deniers. Drazan told members of Timber Unity, a group tied to Proud Boys and QAnon, that her caucus was “unified” with them.

Housing

While Oregon faces a housing crisis, Drazan has offered no real plan to build more homes families can afford and has tried to block common sense efforts to lower housing costs.

She opposed Governor Kotek’s bipartisan housing initiatives aimed at tackling the state’s housing and homelessness crisis and failed to sponsor a single bill to expand housing production.

Health Care

Drazan has proven to be a direct threat to affordable health care for Oregonians. She voted to cut funding for Medicaid, threatening health care for 1.3 million Oregonians. She also voted against a bipartisan bill to limit corporate control of medical clinics, and opposed protections for health care workers facing workplace violence.

LGBTQ+ Rights

Drazan supports allowing Oregon businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ+ employees, per her response to a candidate questionnaire from the ultra-conservative, anti-gay marriage, and anti-abortion organization, Oregon Family Council.

Voting & Elections

Drazan was a chief sponsor of legislation to eliminate Oregon’s vote-by-mail system as we know it, one of the most trusted and secure systems in the country.

Education

Drazan backed efforts to divert more taxpayer money to charter schools, and has repeatedly attacked Oregon’s public schools.

Gun Safety

Christine Drazan bragged about being endorsed by the NRA and has repeatedly earned their top “A” rating for supporting making it easier for criminals and abusers to own guns. She will put the interests of the gun lobby ahead of the safety of Oregon communities.

BOTTOM LINE: Faced with an even more challenging political environment than in 2022 and an extreme MAGA agenda that’s deeply out of step with the state, Christine Drazan enters Oregon’s governor’s race at a clear disadvantage. While Governor Kotek remains focused on tackling the biggest problems facing the state, Drazan has made one thing clear: she can’t be trusted to stand up for the people of Oregon.