Betsy Johnson

For many Oregon Republicans, this campaign cycle felt like a turning point. Republicans had viable, well funded candidates. And they were competitive in races that were normally dominated by Democrats.

Democrat Tina Kotek will be Oregon’s next governor.

Republicans have struggled for any power in recent years, but a rising frustration over inflation and homelessness have Democrats worried.

Betsy Johnson, the unaffiliated candidate for governor, is lagging in the polls behind Democrat Tina Kotek and Republican Christine Drazan. But she's not letting it stop her. “Sitting around watching Oregon in a death spiral, I have one last fight in me, and this is it,” Johnson said. “And I’m not going to surrender a place I love without one hell of a fight.”

Ever since she announced her intention to run for governor last year, Tina Kotek has been in a position of strength. But Kotek’s surefire position at the front of the pack has seemed less certain lately.

The former lawmaker and lobbyist looks like Republicans’ best hope to retake Mahonia Hall in more than a decade. Her rise to prominence has been swift and strategic.

State Sen. Betsy Johnson is running for governor, but not with her current political party.In a long-rumored move, the Senate’s most moderate Democrat…