Behind Record Cash in Governor’s Race Are Big Geographic Differences in Origin

Betsy Johnson’s donors are nearly all in-state, while Tina Kotek draws heavily on out-of-state contributors. Christine Drazan is in the middle.

Tina Kotek and Elizabeth Warren
By Nigel Jaquiss

With nearly two weeks until ballots are counted, the three major candidates for Oregon governor have collectively raised about $60 million—one-and-a-half times the previous record.

“That’s disgusting,” says Jason Kafoury, a Portland lawyer and co-petitioner for ballot measures that would place limits on campaign contributions. Oregon is currently one of only five states with no limits. “Big checks are drowning out the chance for everyday Oregonians to have their voices heard.”

Many of the voices speaking the loudest in this campaign don’t live in Oregon. Of the money the three leading candidates have raised so far, one-third—$20 million—comes from out-of-state donors.

And for all her talk of getting big money out of politics, it’s Democratic Party nominee Tina Kotek who’s accepted the most cash from out of state. Such donations constitute 47% of her campaign haul.

“The people of Oregon are not deciding this election,” Kafoury says. “The national parties are—and that’s sad.”

Here are the totals as of midday Oct. 25, along with each candidate’s three largest out-of-state contributors.

Betsy Johnson, unaffiliated

$17.3 million raised, $1.63 million from out of state

Her largest out-of-state donors:

  1. Sierra Pacific Industries (timber), Redding, Calif.: $501,000
  2. Global Companies LLC (oil), Waltham, Mass.: $210,000
  3. CalPortland (cement), Glendora, Calif.: $175,000

Christine Drazan, Republican

$19.6 million raised, $6.73 million from out of state

Her largest out-of-state donors:

  1. Republican Governors Association, Washington, D.C.: $5.8 million
  2. Pahlisch Ventures LLC (homebuilding), Seattle, Wash.: $250,000
  3. Brian Drouhard (Bluewater Farms), Othello, Wash.: $250,000

Tina Kotek, Democrat

$23.2 million raised, $11 million from out of state

Her largest out-of-state donors:

  1. Democratic Governors Association, Washington, D.C.: $5.88 million
  2. American Federation of Teachers, Washington, D.C.: $500,000
  3. Pacific NW Regional Council of Carpenters, Kent, Wash.: $500,000

Source: Oregon Secretary of State’s Office

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.