State Rep. Ed Diehl, whose district includes Stayton and the Santiam Canyon, has joined the crowded field of Republican candidates for governor. Diehl, who is in his second term representing District 17, announced his bid on Jan. 21 at Snowpeak Brewing in Stayton.
“I’m running for governor because I believe Oregon should work for the people who do everything right and still get left behind,” Diehl wrote in an email exchange with Our Town.
He joins a Republican primary field that includes former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley, who lost a close race to John Kitzhaber in 2010 (49.3% to 47.8%) and state Sen. Christine Drazan, who lost 47% to 43.5% against Tina Kotek in 2022.
Also in the Republican field are Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell and David Medina, a social media figure from Sherwood who was charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol before being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Democrat Kotek announced in December that she will run for a second term. The primary election is May 19 and the general election is Nov. 3.
Diehl, a Scio resident and Stanford University engineering graduate, played a prominent role in a recent bid to overturn a state transportation package passed by the Legislature. The bill included new gas taxes. A coalition that featured Diehl pulled in 250,000 signatures, although changes Kotek is hoping to make might render a vote moot.
“This is personal for me,” Diehl said. “I’m doing this for my wife, my kids, and my grandkids, because I want them to inherit an Oregon that is affordable, safe, and thriving. I’m also doing this for the thousands of volunteers who stood in the wind and rain to gather signatures against an unpopular tax policy that was pushed through without listening to the public.
“And I’m doing this for the more than 250,000 Oregonians who signed the No Tax Oregon referendum – because they spoke clearly, and their voices matter.”
Drazen and Dudley are certain to raise far more campaign money than other Republican candidates. Diehl downplayed the importance of that issue.
“I’m running an issues-focused campaign centered on what matters most to Oregonians: government accountability, the cost of living, education, and public safety,” he said. “I’ll also emphasize the practical experience I bring to the job. I’m an engineer, a business owner, and an entrepreneur, and that background shapes how I approach problems – by looking at what’s working, what isn’t, and how to fix it in a way that actually delivers results.
“This is also a grassroots campaign. I’m fortunate to have an enthusiastic team of volunteers who care deeply about the direction of the state and are willing to put in the time and effort to be heard. That energy and engagement says a lot about the kind of campaign this is – and who it’s for.”
Diehl listed key issues as the cost of living, education and economic development.
