Friday 14 October 2022 06:10 PM Biden heads to Oregon where Democrats risk losing the governor's mansion for ... trends now
President Joe Biden on Friday heads to Oregon, in what opponents say is a last ditch attempt to keep the liberal West Coast state from electing its first Republican governor in decades.
Christine Drazan has lengthened her lead over her Democratic rival, according to the latest poll, while an independent candidate continues to split the leftwing vote.
Spiraling crime and homelessness in the state's biggest city of Portland have upended the race, while Drazan has also carefully avoided associating herself with Donald Trump and his election fraud claims.
Her team said Biden's appearance suggested he knew that the state was about to turn red for the first time since the 1980s.
'The DC political class is in full panic mode to rescue Tina Kotek's failing and flailing campaign,' said John Burke, Drazan communications director.
He said the outgoing Democratic governor was blamed for homelessness, rising crime and higher costs, and that Oregonians were ready for change.
'They know Christine Drazan is going to win this race and there's nothing they can do to stop that from happening,' he said.
Republican nominee Christine Drazan has moved into first place in the race to be Oregon's next governor. Pollsters say the race is a toss-up, with an independent splitting the field
A telephone poll of 842 voters this week gave Dravan a five-point lead over her rival, with a margin of error of 3.38 points
President Joe Biden arrives in Oregon on Friday evening during his West Coast swing in an effort to bolster the campaign of Democrat Linda Kotek
Analysts say Drazan is benefiting from a divided field. Independent Betsy Johnson (right), a former Democrat, is drawing votes from Democratic Party nominee Linda Kotek (left)
The last time a Republican claimed the governor's mansion was 1982.
Pollster say this year's race is now a toss-up.
A a poll published on Wednesday by Clout Research, a GOP-linked firm, reported that Drazan led Kotek by 43.8
