Nicholas Kristof Files Campaign Committee Eyeing Run For Governor

PORTLAND, OR — Nicholas Kristof took a big step toward a possible run for governor on Tuesday, filing paperwork with the Oregon Secretary of State's office creating a campaign committee. Kristof, a New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner, has been eyeing a possible run for months.

The committee, "Nick for Oregon," allows him to raise money, hire staff, and spend money.

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Veteran political consultant Carol Butler, who is advising Kristof, played the filing as procedural.

"Today Nick Kristof filed the Nick for Oregon Committee with the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State," she told Patch.

"Nick has been exploring a run for governor for the past few months and this is an important next step in that process. "

Two other political consultants, neither of whom are involved with the race but asked for anonymity because, in the words of one, "you never know," said that while Kristof has never run for office, he has the strength to surprise people.

"It could really go two basic ways," one said. "He could go down in spectacular fashion, he could also end up running the kind of inspirational, aspirational campaigns that Robert Kennedy did in 1964 and 1968."

While several political figures have already started grumbling about the perception of Kristof as a New York Times figure parachuting into Oregon on a whim, supporters point out that he lives on the Yamhill farm where he grew up.

He has worked to turn the farm into an orchard and vineyard.

Several other officials including State Treasurer Tobias Read and House Speaker Tina Kotek have also expressed interest in running to succeed Gov. Kate Brown in 2022.