Nike co-founder now backs Republican in Oregon governor race
With Phil Knight’s donation, Christine Drazan has raised about $13.9M and spent almost $10.5M since January 2021
Nike co-founder Phil Knight has donated $1 million to Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan’s campaign, seemingly changing course after giving $3.75 million to a candidate unaffiliated with a major political party.
The latest donation makes it likely Drazan will have the money she needs in the final weeks of campaigning to compete with Democrat Tina Kotek in an extremely tight race, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
Portland, Oregon, USA downtown skyline with Mt. Hood at dawn.
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"Phil Knight is a pioneering and respected leader not just in Oregon, but across the globe," Drazan’s campaign manager Trey Rosser said. "It’s a tremendous honor to have his support."
The $3.75 million contribution to independent candidate Betsy Johnson was much more than Knight has donated to any other political campaign, and the most an individual donor has contributed to a politician in Oregon history.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NKE | NIKE INC. | 79.09 | +0.72 | +0.92% |
Johnson and her advisers have acknowledged that it would not be easy to win as an independent but reasoned Johnson’s long history in the state Legislature and powerful ability to raise money might overcome the obstacles.
Republican nominee Christine Drazan, left, and Democratic nominee Tina Kotek, middle, listen to unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson speak during the gubernatorial debate hosted by Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association at Mount Hood Oregon Resort i
Recent polling has suggested, however, that Johnson’s energetic campaign is unlikely to succeed. Four recent polls all showed Drazan and Kotek in a statistical tie, with Johnson trailing far behind.
Johnson’s presence in the race has been a puzzle to political observers, who wondered whether the former Democrat would draw more from that party or from Republicans tired of losing. With her candidacy looking increasingly like a long-shot, some of that support could drift back to the top two candidates.
"There are only two candidates in this race who can deliver change and he knows that," said Jennifer Sitton, a spokeswoman for Johnson’s campaign. "Betsy is proud to have his support."
Oregon governor candidates, seated from left, Betsy Johnson, Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan prepare for a debate at Oregon State University- Cascades, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Bend, Ore. (Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin via AP)
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With Knight’s donation, Drazan has raised about $13.9 million and spent almost $10.5 million since January 2021, according to state records.
Kotek has reported raising $14.9 million and spending $12.6 million in that time frame while Johnson has reported raising $16.5 million and spending $15.1 million, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.