Former New York Knicks center Chris Dudley announced on Jan. 28, 2026, that he is entering the Oregon governor’s race for a second time.
Dudley, 6-foot-11 and best known for his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Knicks, confirmed his decision in a brief statement released through his campaign. The move places him back in Oregon politics after his initial bid for the state’s top office more than a decade ago.
Next steps in the race
The former NBA player said his campaign will begin collecting signatures and fundraising immediately. Filing deadlines for Oregon’s 2026 gubernatorial contest fall later this year, and the primary is scheduled for May 19.
Dudley did not disclose specific policy priorities in his announcement but noted that additional details would be revealed when his formal campaign platform is released in the coming weeks.
The declared candidacy adds a high-profile name to what is expected to be a crowded Republican field seeking to unseat the state’s Democratic leadership.
Source: New York Post
