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Oregon Rejects Gas Tax, Kotek Criticized, Drazan Wins GOP Nod

5/23/2026

50 10 Full Breakdown

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Kotek Criticized

Gov. Tina Kotek faces criticism in Oregon for rising homelessness and stagnant student test scores.
Oregon voters rejected a proposed 6-cent gas-tax increase, keeping the price at 40 cents per gallon.
State Sen. Brock Smith won the Republican Senate primary, defeating incumbent Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley.
Christine Drazan secured the GOP gubernatorial nomination, setting a race against Gov. Tina Kotek.

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**Smith Leads**

State Senator David Brock Smith leads Republican Senate primary in Oregon with 32%, ahead of Jo Rae Perkins and Brent Barker.
Incumbent Rep. Cliff Bentz retained Oregon’s 2nd District congressional seat with 80% of the vote.
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley leads the May primary for the same Senate race.
Smith, serving since 2017, urged bipartisan solutions for wildfires, disaster preparedness, and rural development.

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Kotek Criticized

Gov. Tina Kotek faces criticism in Oregon for rising homelessness and stagnant student test scores.
Oregon voters rejected a proposed 6-cent gas-tax increase, keeping the price at 40 cents per gallon.
State Sen. Brock Smith won the Republican Senate primary, defeating incumbent Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley.
Christine Drazan secured the GOP gubernatorial nomination, setting a race against Gov. Tina Kotek.

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