State of Oregon · November 3, 2026

Portland City Council, Governor

3
Candidates: 1
Seats: Vote for one
Method: Nov 3
Due 8 p.m.

Our readingDraft

Compare the mechanisms as well as the goals: expanded childcare, preschool and housing production with new data-center standards; tax, fee and regulatory cuts with stricter accountability for services; and state limits on participation in unauthorized wars. Ask what each would cost and who pays.

3 candidates, A–Z. Tap any position to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source.

10 more choices, below10 more choices

Where each candidate stands on four issues, in our short reading of their statements. Each position is a button; activate it to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source. Candidates appear alphabetically.
Candidate	2 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented
Brett SmithWelder and inventor	Homes	Safety	Money	Roads
Christine DrazanState senator	Homes	Safety	Money	Roads
Tina KotekIncumbent governor	Homes	Safety	Money	Roads

What this office decides right now

What’s at stake

The governor writes the 2027–29 budget the Legislature takes up in January 2027, signs or vetoes what it passes, and runs the agencies behind housing, shelter, roads, schools and the state’s response to federal actions. The term opens with a budget gap, a transportation fund voters declined to refill, and a housing target the state is missing by half.

Each of this office’s 10 live choices is a board below, with every candidate’s stated position or the gap.

2027–29 budget gap
Federal H.R. 1 leaves the Oregon Health Plan about $421 million short in General Fund money for 2027–29, about 1% of the $42.4 billion the state expects to collect. The Chief Financial Office told agencies on February 10, 2026 that 2027–29 proposals must be revenue-neutral. September’s forecast shows $3.46 billion in reserves (9.7% of General Fund revenue) and no kicker due on 2028 returns. No full 2027–29 gap estimate is published yet.
Transportation funding
Voters rejected most of HB 3991’s gas-tax and fee increases in May 2026; lawmakers then redirected existing funds to cover a $297 million ODOT maintenance shortfall through June 2027. ODOT has cut more than $500 million since 2019, and the governor’s workgroup is due to recommend a 2027 package by year’s end.
Housing production
Oregon issued permits for 14,839 homes in 2025, against the state’s own annual production target of 29,359 and the 36,000-a-year goal set by Executive Order 23-04 in January 2023.
Shelter funding cliff
The homelessness emergency runs through January 10, 2027 and the statewide shelter program is funded with $204.9 million through June 2027; the state counts 6,286 shelter beds added or kept and 5,539 people rehoused through September 2025. Both come up for renewal in the next budget.
Data centers
The state has about 144 data centers; at a September 8, 2026 hearing the Legislative Revenue Office called reporting of at least $450 million in property tax breaks this year “pretty close.” State-land deals are paused through July 1, 2027, and the governor’s advisory committee owes recommendations by the end of 2026.
PERS
PERS held $79.5 billion in assets against $108.7 billion in liabilities at December 31, 2024, 73.1% funded with a $29.2 billion unfunded liability; employer rates for 2027–29 are projected to rise as more than 180 side accounts run out in 2027.
Interstate Bridge
The 2026 estimate puts the five-mile I-5 corridor at $14.4 billion and a core first phase at $7.09 billion; $5.7 billion is committed, including $1 billion from Oregon and $1.5 billion in projected tolls that could start as early as 2028. Completion has slipped from 2034 to 2045.
Carbon cap lawsuit
Nearly 30 business, utility and labor groups petitioned the Court of Appeals on April 16, 2026 to void the Climate Protection Program, which caps fuel emissions toward a 90% cut by 2050 and prices compliance credits at $136 a ton; its first compliance period runs 2025–27.

Where they stand · ten more choices

Ten choices the next governor faces

One question at a time: every candidate’s answer, A–Z, with its source. Open all to see who has said nothing about what.

Transportation taxesRaise the gas tax and vehicle fees again to fund roads, after voters repealed the 2025 package?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

HB 3991, signed November 7, 2025, would have raised the gas tax from 40 to 46 cents and doubled the transit payroll tax; voters repealed those sections 83% to 17% on May 19, 2026. Lawmakers redirected $297 million to keep ODOT running through June 2027, leaving a durable source to the 2027 session.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
No new road taxes
Said: What they said
Voted no on HB 3991 in the House on September 1, 2025, and told KATU in April 2026 she would “balance the budget without new taxes,” putting potholes, maintenance and preservation first.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Signed taxes, sought repeal
What they did
Called the 2025 special session and signed HB 3991’s gas-tax and fee increases; in January 2026 asked lawmakers to repeal it, and after voters did she pledged bipartisan work on a 2027 package.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Kicker refundLet the state hold back part of a kicker refund for other uses?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

The 2026 kicker returned about $1.4 billion to taxpayers. Holding any of it back takes a two-thirds vote of each chamber; the September 2026 forecast puts 2025–27 revenue $526 million under the threshold, so no kicker is due on 2028 returns.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
Veto kicker grabs
Said: What they said
Would “protect Oregon’s kicker” by vetoing legislative attempts to take it from taxpayers.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
One-time wildfire hold-back
Said: What they said
Told reporters in May 2025 she would support withholding about $1 billion of the $1.64 billion kicker, one time and from high earners, for wildfire costs; her office later proposed Rainy Day Fund money instead.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Data-center moratoriumPause new data centers statewide until standards are set?3 of 3 on record

On September 8, 2026 the governor backed a moratorium and paused data-center deals on state land through July 1, 2027; her office says only the Legislature can pause private development. An advisory committee's recommendations are due by the end of 2026 for the 2027 session.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Permanent ban
Said: What they said
Pledges a permanent moratorium on data centers and calls himself the only anti-data-center candidate.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Christine DrazanState senator
Immediate moratorium
Said: What they said
Told KATU on September 8, 2026 that the governor “should issue a moratorium immediately” and that Oregon should have an immediate statewide moratorium; her plan adds community benefit agreements and a ban on blanket NDAs.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Moratorium, via Legislature
What they did
Said September 8, 2026 she supports a moratorium until development is “done on our terms,” paused state-land deals through July 1, 2027, and will bring the Legislature a statewide framework in 2027.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Data-center power ratesShould data centers pay a separate, higher electricity rate (the 2025 POWER Act)?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

HB 3546, signed June 16, 2025, lets regulators put large-load customers in their own rate class; the governor's office says PGE's data-center rates rose 29% and other customers' fell. It passed the House 41–16 and the Senate 18–12.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
Voted no
What they did
Voted no on HB 3546’s final House passage on June 5, 2025; her plan does not say whether she would repeal the law.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Signed the POWER Act
What they did
Signed HB 3546 on June 16, 2025; her office credits it with a 29% rate increase on data-center corporations and rate decreases for other PGE customers.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Homelessness emergencyKeep the state homelessness emergency and its state-funded shelter beds going?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

The emergency declared January 10, 2023 was extended by Executive Order 26-01 through January 10, 2027; the state counts 6,286 shelter beds added or kept and 25,942 households helped to stay housed through September 2025. HB 3644 funds shelters with $204.9 million through June 2027.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
Audit, shift to recovery
Said: What they said
Would declare an emergency on addiction and mental health instead, audit homeless and addiction spending, and shift state money to recovery programs; says success should not be measured by low-barrier shelter beds.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Extended emergency to 2027
What they did
Extended the homelessness emergency by Executive Order 26-01 through January 10, 2027, with goals of rehousing 1,400 more households and preventing homelessness for 8,000, after signing HB 3644’s $204.9 million shelter program.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Climate Protection ProgramKeep the Climate Protection Program's declining cap on fuel emissions?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

The Environmental Quality Commission re-adopted the program November 21, 2024: emissions 50% below baseline by 2035 and 90% by 2050, with the first compliance period 2025–27. Nearly 30 business, utility and labor groups asked the Court of Appeals on April 16, 2026 to strike it down.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
Repeal the program
Said: What they said
Would repeal the Climate Protection Program, which she calls a costly executive order that raised utility and gas prices and threatened jobs.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Keep the carbon cap
What they did
Backed the Environmental Quality Commission’s re-adoption of the program on November 21, 2024, saying it “will keep polluters accountable and fund community investments” that cut emissions.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Sanctuary lawKeep Oregon's sanctuary-law limits on helping federal immigration enforcement?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

The 1987 sanctuary law and the 2021 Sanctuary Promise Act bar public resources for immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. Executive Order 26-04 (January 30, 2026) created an interagency council on the state's response, and eight bills signed April 9, 2026 set rules for schools, hospitals and courts.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
Sanctuary law too far
Said: What they said
Told KATU in April 2026 that Oregon’s sanctuary laws “have gone too far,” citing Corrections declining a U.S. attorney’s request about 30 people, and wants law enforcement able to work with federal law enforcement.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Keep sanctuary limits
What they did
Created an interagency council on the state’s response to federal enforcement (EO 26-04, January 30, 2026), signed eight immigrant-protection bills April 9, 2026, and opposes ICE detention facilities in Oregon.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

School instructional timeRequire districts to keep and add classroom hours even when budgets are short?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

Executive Order 26-06 (April 16, 2026) bars districts from cutting instructional time to close budget gaps, ends waivers below the minimum hours, and requires districts that cut time in 2025–26 or 2026–27 to restore it by 2027–28. Oregon students get fewer hours than those in all but a handful of states, per the order.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
School-day standard
Said: What they said
Would increase classroom time by moving Oregon from an instructional-hours system to a school-day system with statewide standards for what counts as a school day.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
No cuts to hours
What they did
Executive Order 26-06 bars districts from cutting instructional time for budget reasons and ends waivers below the minimum; her platform sets a goal of reaching the national average by the end of a second term.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

New state taxesRaise new state taxes to cover the 2027–29 budget gap, or hold to cuts?3 of 3 on record

The state's Chief Financial Office told agencies on February 10, 2026 that federal H.R. 1 is projected to open a gap between the cost of current programs and revenue, and that 2027–29 proposals must be revenue-neutral. The governor’s Medicaid advisory group puts H.R. 1’s 2027–29 General Fund gap for the Oregon Health Plan at $421 million, about 1% of forecast revenue. The September 2026 forecast expects $400 million left over at the end of 2025–27 and $3.46 billion in reserves.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Wage-gap surcharge
Said: What they said
Would impose a surcharge on employers with 50 or more workers paying below a living wage, which his campaign models at $700 million to $3.4 billion a year for the Oregon Health Plan and food aid.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Christine DrazanState senator
Cut business taxes
Said: What they said
Says business taxes are too high and Salem should tighten its belt; would raise the Corporate Activity Tax threshold past the $2 million the governor’s Prosperity Council suggested, reform the estate tax and selectively preempt local taxes.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Offset any tax cuts
Said: What they said
Open to raising the Corporate Activity Tax threshold for small businesses if trimming tax breaks that haven’t helped competitiveness pays for it; wants an outside-led tax review; did not say whether she would seek new taxes.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Interstate BridgeBuild the Interstate Bridge replacement as planned, with tolls, or scale it back?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Brett Smith

The program's 2026 estimate puts the five-mile corridor at $14.4 billion and a core first phase at $7.09 billion, with $5.7 billion committed, including $1 billion from Oregon and $1.5 billion in projected tolls. Tolling could begin as early as 2028.

Brett SmithWelder and inventor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Christine DrazanState senator
A cheaper bridge
Said: What they said
Says the state “can’t afford the I-5 bridge that they’re proposing,” objecting to the share of deck for biking, walking and transit, and would build a bridge Oregon can afford.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Tina KotekIncumbent governor
Build the core bridge
What they did
With Washington’s governor, said March 17, 2026 the states remain “fully committed” to replacing the bridge, starting with a core set of projects funded by committed federal, state and toll money.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

About this race

How to vote

You vote for one candidate. How it works

Ballots mail Oct 14 · return by 8 p.m. Nov 3

What this office can do

The governor directs state agencies, proposes a budget and can sign or veto legislation. The Legislature controls appropriations and changes to state law. Federal policy is outside the governor’s unilateral control.

How this list was made

Same questions for everyone, A–Z. Each chip is our short reading of a sourced statement; we do not endorse, rank or score.

Reviewed September 18, 2026 · lines 2026-09-19.1 · AI-assisted, human review pending

Terms explained

Amendment: A proposed change to a measure before the final vote. Voting for an amendment is not the same as voting for the whole measure.
Supplemental budget: A mid-year change to the city budget after the main budget is adopted.
Appropriation: Permission to spend money on something. It does not mean the money has been spent or the result achieved.
PCEF: The Portland Clean Energy Fund: a tax on large retailers that pays for climate projects. Council has debated using its interest for other services.
Term sheet: Starting terms for a negotiation. Approving one is not a final contract.
Social housing: Housing owned by the public or a nonprofit and rented at controlled prices.
CEI Hub: The fuel-storage area along the Willamette in Northwest Portland, where Zenith Energy operates.
Ranked choice: You rank candidates in order. If your first choice is eliminated or already elected, your vote counts toward your next choice.