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Happy Valley Mayor Decides Not To Run For Oregon Governor

Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer says she will not join the race for Oregon governor.
Campaign photo
Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer says she will not join the race for Oregon governor.

A potential Republican candidate for Oregon governor said Tuesday she won’t seek the state’s top office after all. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is the long-time mayor of Happy Valley, a Portland suburb.

Chavez-DeRemer had been actively exploring a run for governor. But in a video announcement posted on social media, she said she’s decided against it.

“Without all the parts to run a successful campaign and win, we will not risk the money or waste the momentum,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

She ran for a state House seat last year, and lost. She said she wouldn’t rule out a future run for governor.

For now, her decision leaves state representative Knute Buehler as the only Republican with an active campaign for governor. The winner of the GOP nomination will likely face Democratic incumbent Kate Brown.

Copyright 2017 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December 2018 and became News Director in March 2023. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”