BOARDMAN, Ore.-Gubernatorial candidate Christ Dudley held a meet and greet with potential Morrow County voters at the SAGE Center on March 2.
Dudley, a Republican, previously ran for Governor in Oregon in 2010, narrowly losing to former Governor John Kitzhaber, by about 1.5 percent of the vote.
“I’m disappointed in the direction of our state,” said Dudley. “I believe strongly that we need new leadership, an outsider who is not part of the problems in Salem.”
A Yale graduate, Dudley played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 16 seasons, including two stints with the Portland Trail Blazers (1993-97, 2001-2003).
Dudley served on the Players Association Executive Committee and the NBA Union Negotiating Committee during his career and has had a successful private-sector business career since retiring.
“I will be a Governor for the entire state, not just the I-5 corridor,” said Dudley, who is running on a platform of education, economics and livability.
Dudley also shared his belief that there has been a loss of accountability in Oregon, and that a change of leadership is needed to change the culture in the state.
“People are tired on both sides of the name-calling and finger-pointing,” said Dudley. “It’s time to come together.”
Community members in attendance had the opportunity to ask Dudley questions about his campaign and issues affecting Oregon at the meet and greet.
Questions ranged from the effect of fuel regulations on trucking companies, illegal aliens undercutting local businesses, the elimination of high school graduation standards, the problems of mail-in voting, the PEACE Act to expand animal protection, and how to get people to vote.
Oregon’s primary election to determine who will run against incumbent Governor Tina Kotek in November is May 19.
