Chris Dudley, a former basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers, is taking another shot at a run to be Oregon‘s next governor.
The 16-season NBA center announced on Monday that he is entering the 2026 gubernatorial race as a Republican, marking his second time running to lead the Beaver State.
“I love Oregon, and even though we have some serious problems, there are solutions, and I believe our best days are ahead of us. However, in order to solve these challenges, the empty promises, the name calling, finger pointing and fear mongering that has solved nothing must stop,” Dudley said in his announcement video.
In his campaign announcement, Dudley said he aims to create a “better Oregon for all” and has a plan to address the most commonly voiced concerns of Oregonians.
“I have traveled around the state and met with people who’ve shared a variety of opinions, stories, and challenges,” Dudley said. “What they all have in common is a love of our great state and a desire for these same things — quality education, safety, affordability, and a good job. These are achievable. There are real solutions, and I have a plan.”
The Yale University graduate first ran for governor in the blue state in 2010, posing a significant threat to former Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber in the general election. Polls were close in 2010, with several showing Dudley leading Kitzhaber, but Dudley lost by just over 22,000 votes, with Kitzhaber besting him 49.3% to 47.8%.
Though Dudley came close, no Republican has been elected Oregon’s governor since former Gov. Victor Atiyeh won reelection in 1982.
Dudley played in the NBA from the late 1980s to the early 2000s for five teams, mainly for Oregon’s home state team in Portland. Dudley was famously the first NBA player to play with Type 1 diabetes. Since leaving the league, he has worked as a businessman and investor, as well as running for governor.
Whoever wins the GOP nomination in Oregon will likely face off against Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR), who is running for a second term.
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Dudley will be hopping into the Republican primary alongside Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan, who lost to Kotek in 2022 by a 3.4 percentage-point margin, with Kotek besting her by over 66,000 votes to win 47% to 43.6%. Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell is also running for the Republican nomination.
The primaries will be held on May 19, and the general election will be held on Nov. 3.