For the first time in Oregon’s history, three women are vying for the state’s top political job, and all three appeared in a debate on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

Among the three candidates debating are: Republican Christine Drazan, Democrat Tina Kotek, and Betsy Johnson, who is running as a non-partisan.

All three women have extensive government experience. Drazan served as the House Republican leader in the Oregon Legislature, Kotek was House Speaker for almost a decade, and Johnson was a longtime state senator.

All three resigned their positions in the Legislature to run for governor this year.

Here is a replay of the Oct. 4 debate:

Drazan aims to break the Democrats’ nearly 40-year hold on the governor’s office by pairing her opponents with Gov. Kate Brown’s agenda, which, she says, has been a failure.

Kotek has framed herself as a champion of the working people who has gotten things done for them during her time in the Legislature.

Johnson, on the other hand, has touted herself as the truly independent candidate in the race, not beholden to any political party, only to Oregonians.