Phil Knight has made a major contribution to Oregon’s upcoming governor’s race, donating $1 million to Chris Dudley, a Republican candidate for governor. The contribution, recorded in state campaign finance filings this week, is the largest single donation to a gubernatorial candidate in Oregon so far this year.
Dudley, who previously played for the Portland Trail Blazers, is competing in a crowded Republican primary field. Other candidates in the race include Christine Drazan, Ed Diehl, and Danielle Bethell. Dudley previously ran for governor in 2010 but lost to Democrat John Kitzhaber in a closely contested election.
Since entering the race earlier this year, Dudley has said his campaign focuses on issues such as education performance, homelessness, and economic challenges in parts of the state, particularly around Portland. Knight’s contribution has significantly boosted Dudley’s fundraising totals, helping him raise roughly $1.7 million within the first few months of the campaign.
Knight has been a major political donor in Oregon for years, supporting various candidates and political groups. In the past, he has also contributed to candidates outside the Republican Party, including Betsy Johnson, who ran for governor as an independent candidate in 2022. The current Democratic governor, Tina Kotek, has also been raising funds as the state’s next election cycle approaches.