Tina Kotek wins tight race for Oregon governor; Drazan concedes

OREGON (KPTV) – The Associated Press is now predicting Tina Kotek has won the Oregon governor’s race with 85% reporting, as of 6 p.m. Thursday.

The race for the highest elected office in Oregon was monumental being the first time in state history, voters chose from three women for governor.

Democratic nominee Tina Kotek, formerly the longest-serving Oregon House speaker, currently holds 47.3% of the vote. Kotek was challenged by Republican nominee Christine Drazan, a former leader of the Republican minority in the House, with 43.3% of the vote. Running unaffiliated was candidate Betsy Johnson, a former Democrat and member of the Oregon statehouse for 20 years. Johnson conceded shortly after polls closed on Tuesday and currently holds 8.6% of the vote.

Drazan announced her concession on Friday at 3 p.m.

“I also want to assure Oregonians that every vote will be counted and that their voices were heard in this election,” Drazan said. “Unfortunately, given what we know about the ballots outstanding, the math for a comeback simply does not add up. Though the campaign for Governor of Oregon has come to an end, I am immensely grateful for all the Oregonians who joined our movement to take our state in a new direction. A majority of Oregonians supported a candidate that did not win.”

Kotek will assume office from Gov. Kate Brown in January.

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Drazan also released the below video with her concession statement:

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