Gov. Kate Brown Posts Big Fundraising Haul, Has Now Raised More Than $10 Million

New contributions include big checks from Democratic Governors Association, Michael Bloomberg—and Nike.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown at the Pendleton Round-Up (office of the governor)

By Nigel Jaquiss

Gov. Kate Brown disclosed more than $1.5 million in new contributions over the past few days, bringing her fundraising total to just over $10 million since Jan. 1, 2017.

Brown, the Democratic incumbent running for re-election against the GOP nominee, state Rep. Knute Buehler (R-Bend), reported checks of $250,000 from the Democratic Governors' Association and from Everytown for Gun Safety, a group funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Brown also disclosed two $25,000 checks from Nike, bringing the Beaverton sportswear company's total giving to her his year to $85,000—generous but far less than the $1.5 million Nike co-founder and chairman emeritus Phil Knight has given Buehler.

Brown is on pace to break the all-time fundraising record for an Oregon governor's race set by Republican Chris Dudley in 2010. Dudley raised just under $10.5 million in his battle with Democrat John Kitzhaber, who raised $7.5 million. Kitzhaber won that race by 22,000 votes.

After a spate of big ad buys, Brown has $3.8 million on hand. Buehler has $1.5 million.