Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan shared the stage for the first gubernatorial debate of this election cycle at the University of Oregon, co-sponsored by Lookout Eugene-Springfield, Oregon Journalism Project, the University of Oregon and KVAL.

The Governor’s Debate at the University of Oregon on Thursday, October 1, 2026 between incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek, right, and state Sen. Christine Drazan. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
The Governor’s Debate at the University of Oregon on Thursday, October 1, 2026 between incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek, right, and state Sen. Christine Drazan. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
The Governor’s Debate at the University of Oregon on Thursday, October 1, 2026 between incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek, and state Sen. Christine Drazan. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
University of Oregon journalism student Gretchen Wackler watches the timer indicating how much time a candidate had left to speak at The Governor’s Debate at the University of Oregon, Thursday, October 1, 2026. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Gov. Tina Kotek listens to a question from the panel of journalists at the gubernatorial debate on the University of Oregon campus on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Credit: Will Yurman
The panel of journalists, Ben Botkin of LookOut Eugene-Springfield, left, Bayla Orton, a journalism student at the University of Oregon, and Nigel Jaquiss of the Oregon Journalism Project, prepare to ask questions in the second half of The Governor’s Debate at the University of Oregon, Thursday, October 1, 2026. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Sen. Christine Drazan responds to questions, while Gov. Tina Kotek can be seen listening, reflected in a TV screen at The Governor’s Debate at the University of Oregon on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
State Sen. Christine Drazan (left) and Gov. Tina Kotek at the gubernatorial debate on the University of Oregon campus on Thursday, Oct. 1. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Gov. Tina Kotek finishes a camera check and leaves the podium before the start of the debate. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
State Sen. Christine Drazan does a camera check before the start of the debate. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
KVAL’s Kendall Bartley (left) goes over the logistics for the debate with Ben Botkin from Lookout Eugene-Springfield, Nigel Jaquiss from the Oregon Journalism Project and University of Oregon journalism student Bayla Orton. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication Dean Regina Lawrence, left, prepares to make opening remarks with Kendall Bartley of KVAL ahead of The Governor’s Debate on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. Credit: Will Yurman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield