Christine Drazan Steps Down From Legislature To Focus On Gov Run

OREGON CITY, OR — It's not clear if the more really is the merrier but Rep. Christine Drazan is hoping that's the case. The Canby Republican announced Friday that she's stepping down from the state legislature effective on January 31.

The reason? She wants to succeed Kate Brown as governor of Oregon.

"Public service is a sacred trust," she said in a statement. "Not everyone sees it that way, but the job is to do the right thing, to be honest, to uphold the constitution, and to protect the values and interests of your community and state.

"I remain determined to do more to serve Oregonians, to restore balance, and to fight for our future."

To get to challenge for the office, Drozan, who just finished the first year of her second term, first has to get the nomination. She enters an already crowded field.

Bridget Barton, a political consultant, Kerry Mcquisten, the mayor of Baker City, Bud Pierce, the oncologist from Salem who had the nomination and lost in 2016, and Stan Pulliam, the mayor of Sandy, have all been in the race in some form since last year and are the bigger names in the field.

There are eight others also running for the nomination.

Drozan does bring something to the campaign that puts her ahead of others in the field – the ability to raise money.

While there are already several big names in the field and Betsy Johnson, running as an independent though attracting significant Republican support, Drozan has already raised more than $525,000 including one six-figure donation and several five-figure ones.

Drozan, who graduated from George Fox University, lives with her husband and children in a rural area between Canby and Oregon City.