Tina Kotek (Democrat), Christine Drazan (Republican) and Brett Smith (Green) are the candidates for governor of Oregon in the November 3, 2026 general election. Tina Kotek is the incumbent. Semblen has analyzed 52 ads in this race; 29 used at least one manipulation technique, most often loaded language and appeal to prejudice.
Tina Kotek (DEM, incumbent), Christine Drazan (REP), Brett Smith (GRE). On the ballot as listed by Ballotpedia. 52 ads analyzed, 29 with at least one technique in the copy. Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-08. 1 ad from other advertisers shown separately below.
As of 2026-10-08. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.
A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.
An email when new ads come in from either side or the outside groups: the techniques, the words doing the work, and who paid. And each debate's analysis the morning after. One-click unsubscribe.
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| Paid for by | Ads | With at least one technique | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends of Tina Kotek | 26 | 9 of 26 (35%) | Appeal to Fear (6), Appeal to Prejudice (5), Loaded Language (5) |
| Friends of Christine Drazan | 14 | 13 of 14 (93%) | Glittering Generalities (7), Loaded Language (7), Appeal to Prejudice (6) |
| FRIENDS OF TINA KOTEK, PAC ID 4792 | 3 | 2 of 3 | Appeal to Prejudice (2), Exaggeration/Hyperbole (1), Glittering Generalities (1) |
| OREGON RIGHT TO LIFE | 3 | 2 of 3 | Appeal to Fear (2), Black-and-White Fallacy (2), Exaggeration/Hyperbole (2) |
| Courtney Bangs PAC | 1 | 1 of 1 | Appeal to Prejudice (1), Loaded Language (1), Name Calling (1) |
| Joshua for Gresham | 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| Oregon Republican Party | 1 | 1 of 1 | Loaded Language (1), Scapegoating (1) |
| The Kodel Group LLC | 1 | 1 of 1 | Appeal to Prejudice (1), Bandwagon Appeal (1), Loaded Language (1) |
| Tina for Oregon | 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| Tracy Cramer PAC | 1 | 0 of 1 |
Not everyone would call every technique manipulation. Untick the ones you'd call ordinary persuasion and the count updates.
56% of the 52 ads here use at least one of the techniques ticked below (29 ads).
Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 50% of ads.
The words that show up most in phrases our model flagged as loaded language or name calling in this race's ads, by number of ads.
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Candidates for governor report their fundraising to Oregon's state campaign-finance office, not the FEC. This page doesn't cover those reports yet, so it shows no money figures.
52 ads, newest first. Video transcripts are shown as the model read them, without caption cues like [music].
Showing the 26 ads paid for by Friends of Tina Kotek. Show all 52 ads
"What’s the Drazan-Trump agenda? End Oregon’s vote-by-mail system. Cut funding for Medicaid. Restrict access to abortion. And that’s just the start. Get the facts: TheChoice2026.com "
What’s the Drazan-Trump agenda? End Oregon’s vote-by-mail system. Cut funding for Medicaid. Restrict access to abortion. And that’s just the start. Get the facts: TheChoice2026.com
"Anti-abortion Republican Christine Drazan is teaming up with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country. Learn More: TheChoice2026.com"
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Anti-abortion Republican Christine Drazan is teaming up with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country. Learn More: TheChoice2026.com
Loaded Language: The phrase 'most extreme abortion bans' uses emotionally charged language to frame the policy negatively rather than neutrally describing it — for example: 'most extreme abortion bans'
Drazan refuses to rein in tax giveaways to data centers. And she voted to allow data centers to pass their energy costs on to us. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/08/28/data-centers-emerge-as-new-flashpoint-between-kotek-drazan-in-oregon-governors-race/
"Drazan refuses to rein in tax giveaways to data centers. And she voted to allow data centers to pass their energy costs on to us. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/08/28/data-centers-emerge-as-new-flashpoint-between-kotek-drazan-in-oregon-governors-race/"
Governor Kotek here, and I'll keep this quick. I am the only incumbent Democratic Governor on the West Coast running for reelection. I'm doing everything I can to fight back and keep Trump's extreme influence out of Oregon. But I need you to have my back. Can I count on you to donate $5 a day to help me keep Oregon blue?
Hey, it's Governor Tina Kotek. We are just weeks away from the election, and I'm asking for your help. With so little time left and so much on the line, I'm asking you if you'll stand with me again by making a weekly donation to my campaign. Even a few dollars each week will help us reach more voters, keep our ads on the air, and finish this race strong.
False Urgency: The phrase 'so little time left' creates artificial time pressure to prompt immediate action without careful deliberation — for example: 'With so little time left'
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'so much on the line' implies dire consequences if action is not taken, creating anxiety to drive a specific response — for example: 'so much on the line'
Hey, it's Governor Tina Kotek. My opponent is a MAGA Republican who supports Trump's agenda. $5. $10. Anything you can donate today will help me fight back and keep Oregon blue.
State Senator Christine Drazan skipped nearly one-third of all votes during the 2026 legislative session, including votes to fund a child literacy program and fund cervical cancer screenings. Now she wants a promotion? Voters deserve a governor who shows up for work. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/16/republican-gov-hopefuls-among-oregon-lawmakers-who-missed-more-than-one-third-of-session-votes/
As data centers push our energy bills higher, Christine Drazan sided with big corporations instead of hard-working families. Drazan voted against requiring data centers to pay their fair share instead of passing their costs onto our utility bills. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/
Loaded Language: The phrase 'hard-working families' is emotionally charged to evoke sympathy and contrast with corporations, framing the issue in morally loaded terms — for example: hard-working families and pay their fair share.
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents only two sides — big corporations vs. hard-working families — implying Drazan must be for one and against the other with no nuance — for example: sided with big corporations instead of hard-working families
Appeal to Prejudice: Invoking 'hard-working families' as an in-group identity to contrast with the out-group of 'big corporations', exploiting class-based identity — for example: hard-working families
Card Stacking: The sentence presents only one interpretation of Drazan's vote — that she enabled corporations to pass costs onto consumers — without acknowledging any other possible rationale for the vote — for example: voted against requiring data centers to pay their fair share
This content was removed because it didn't follow our Advertising Standards.
Christine Drazan voted to defund healthcare that more than one million Oregonians count on, including children and seniors. Why is Christine Drazan trying to eliminate coverage and make healthcare less affordable? https://www.opb.org/article/2025/02/28/oregon-republicans-join-democrats-pass-medicaid/
Loaded Language: The word 'defund' is emotionally charged and chosen to trigger a negative reaction rather than neutrally describe a policy vote — for example: defund healthcare and trying to eliminate coverage.
Appeal to Fear: The sentence invokes vulnerable populations to create anxiety about the consequences of Drazan's vote, implying harm to over a million people including children and seniors — for example: 'more than one million Oregonians count on, including children and seniors'
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The rhetorical question frames Drazan's position as an active attempt to 'eliminate' coverage entirely, which overstates the nature of a legislative vote — for example: 'trying to eliminate coverage and make healthcare less affordable'
Governor Tina Kotek is fighting back against rising costs. She signed a bill to stop data centers from passing their enormous electricity costs on to your utility bill, and she supports moratoriums on new data centers. https://www.opb.org/article/2026/07/30/oregon-governor-kotek-state-land-salem-data-center/
Oregon is at risk of electing a MAGA-aligned Governor — Tina Kotek needs your help to fight back. Tina is the ONLY incumbent Governor on the West Coast running for reelection. She knows Oregonians' values are on the line. That’s why she won’t let Republicans flip Oregon and hand President Trump a major victory. But she needs your help. Will you rush a donation to keep Oregon out of MAGA’s hands?
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'at risk' creates anxiety about a threatening outcome to motivate action — for example: 'Oregon is at risk of electing a MAGA-aligned Governor'
Name Calling: The label 'MAGA-aligned' is used as a derogatory political tag to discredit the opposing candidate rather than address their policy positions — for example: 'MAGA-aligned Governor'
False Urgency: The call to action 'needs your help to fight back' implies an immediate threat requiring urgent response without deliberation — for example: 'Tina Kotek needs your help to fight back'
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'Oregonians' values' invokes a vague, emotionally positive concept without specifying what those values are — for example: 'values are on the line'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence frames the situation as a binary: either she stops Republicans or Oregon is flipped and Trump wins, leaving no middle ground or nuance — for example: 'won't let Republicans flip Oregon and hand President Trump a major victory'
Appeal to Prejudice: The framing implies Republicans are an out-group threat to Oregon's identity and values, exploiting in-group loyalty — for example: 'won't let Republicans flip Oregon'
Hi, it’s Governor Tina Kotek. We always knew this race would be competitive, and we've been building our campaign with that in mind from day one. But this news does mean we need to pick up the pace. Four years ago, I won with the help of this grassroots team, and I know that’s how we’ll stop Trump and the Republicans from flipping this seat come November. So can I count on you to rush an urgent donation and help keep Oregon blue?
BREAKING: A new poll shows Drazan ahead of Governor Kotek: Drazan 48% - Kotek 44% Christine Drazan is raising millions to defeat Democrat Tina Kotek. If we’re going to win this race and reelect Tina, we’re going to need a surge of grassroots support today. Rush an emergency donation right now to help Tina close the gap, fight back against Drazan's attacks, and keep Oregon blue →
Republican Christine Drazan “was a chief sponsor on a 2025 bill...to essentially end mail-in voting in Oregon...” With Drazan as Governor and Trump as President, who will protect our safe and secure vote-by-mail elections from their baseless attacks? https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/05/11/oregon-gop-governor-candidates-on-election-integrity-vote-by-mail/89946633007/
Loaded Language: The phrase 'baseless attacks' is emotionally charged, framing legislative opposition to mail-in voting as illegitimate and unfounded without substantiation — for example: 'baseless attacks'
Appeal to Fear: The rhetorical question 'who will protect our safe and secure vote-by-mail elections' implies that elections are under threat and creates anxiety about losing voting rights — for example: 'who will protect our safe and secure vote-by-mail elections from their baseless attacks'
Appeal to Prejudice: The use of 'our safe and secure vote-by-mail elections' frames the issue as an in-group possession under attack by named political opponents, invoking identity-based loyalty — for example: 'our safe and secure vote-by-mail elections'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The framing implies only two sides: those who protect mail-in voting and those who attack it, leaving no room for nuanced policy debate — for example: 'who will protect our safe and secure vote-by-mail elections from their baseless attacks'
"Unlawful and unwarranted." When President Trump tried to send military troops into Oregon, Governor Kotek stood up for us. https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/09/29/you-broke-your-promise-here-are-messages-from-the-text-exchange-between-kotek-and-trump/
When President Trump tried to rip food assistance away from Oregon families, Governor Kotek directed state agencies to work through the night to make sure Oregonians could feed their families the next day. https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/11/kotek-oregonians-will-have-access-to-full-november-food-stamp-benefits.html
Experts at the Cook Political Report shifted Oregon’s gubernatorial race from "Solid D” to “Likely D.” That means that Oregon’s gubernatorial race is now one of the most watched races in the country. This is exactly the kind of news Republicans have been hoping for. Republicans see Oregon as one of their best opportunities to flip a Democratic governor’s seat. We can’t let that happen. Can you rush an urgent donation to help Tina defend this seat?
BREAKING via Cook Political Report: Oregon Governor moves from “Solid D” to “Likely D”. Oregon’s gubernatorial race is now one of the most-watched races in the country. Hi, it’s Tina Kotek. This adjustment does not come as a surprise. We always knew this race would be competitive, just like Oregon's gubernatorial races have been for decades, and we've been building our campaign with that in mind from day one. But this news adjustment does mean we need to pick up the pace. We know that when voters hear my message and are presented with a choice in this election, they support our campaign. Can you rush an urgent donation to help keep Oregon blue?
The stakes of our race couldn’t be higher. I'm the only incumbent Democratic Governor on the West Coast running for reelection. My MAGA-aligned GOP opponent has already raised millions to take me down. I need you by my side. Will you chip in to help me stay in this fight?
Hi, it's Governor Tina Kotek. I’m not asking for $25 or $50, not even $5. I’m asking you for just $1. I’m the only incumbent Democratic Governor on the West Coast up for reelection — and that makes my race a major target. My opponent has already raised millions to take me down, and your grassroots support is what will make the difference. Can I count on you to chip in $18 (what most people are giving) or even just $1 to help my campaign hit our first End-of-Quarter deadline?
Appeal to Fear: The sentence frames the opponent's fundraising as a threat ('take me down'), creating anxiety to motivate the reader to act — for example: 'raised millions to take me down'
False Urgency: The framing implies that immediate grassroots support is urgently needed to counter the opponent's financial advantage, pressuring the reader to act now — for example: 'your grassroots support is what will make the difference'
Governor Tina Kotek here. I’m not asking for $25 or $50, not even $5. I’m asking you for just $1. I’m the only incumbent Democratic Governor on the West Coast up for reelection — and that makes my race a major target. The Republicans have already raised millions to take me down, and your grassroots support is what will make the difference. Can I count on you to chip in just $1 to help keep this campaign strong?
Appeal to Fear: The sentence creates anxiety about a well-funded opposition threat to pressure the reader into action — for example: 'Republicans have already raised millions to take me down'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'grassroots support' invokes in-group identity, implying ordinary people vs. a powerful moneyed opposition — for example: 'your grassroots support is what will make the difference'
Governor Kotek here. This November, Oregonians have a choice between a governor who will listen to Oregonians and stand up for what we believe. Or a governor who will do Trump’s bidding. If you want a governor who will stand up to Trump, then please donate just $5 to help me fight for our values and keep Oregon blue.
Slogans: Catchy phrase used to compress a complex position into an emotionally loaded shorthand.
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence frames the election as a binary choice between only two options, ignoring any nuance or alternative positions — for example: a choice between a governor who will listen to Oregonians and stand up for what we believe and a governor who will do Trump's bidding.
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase invokes in-group identity by appealing to shared Oregon values and what 'we believe', implying the opponent is outside that community — for example: stand up for what we believe
Loaded Language: The word 'bidding' carries a strong connotation of servility and lack of independence, designed to trigger a negative emotional reaction — for example: do Trump's bidding
Glittering Generalities: Vague emotionally positive phrase used as rhetorical appeal without specific policy substance — for example: 'our values'
Paid posts that ran in OR and name a candidate, from advertisers that aren't part of this race: news-style pages, campaigns for other offices, and others. They're shown here for completeness and not counted with the ads above. We show the same technique analysis; their claims are not checked.
Yunker For State Rep: campaign for another office
Who is Susan Fischer-Maki? Susan Fischer-Maki has spent decades advancing progressive causes in Oregon politics. She has aligned herself with groups that have a seat at the table with Governor Tina Kotek. She supports the state’s decision to allow biological males to compete in girls’ sports. See below where she stands on other progressive issues affecting Oregonians, along with Democrats’ record on so many issues that are holding Oregon back. Don’t be fooled into thinking that most of her life hasn’t been political. Josephine County voters deserve to know the truth about where she stands on the issues.
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