GOP Primary Candidates Dodge and Weave, Avoiding Any Mention of Donald Trump

PORTLAND, OR - Tonight, the GOP gubernatorial candidates wrapped up their first major debate in Hillsboro without a single mention of Donald Trump and the impacts of his disastrous policies in Oregon.

Instead, candidates Ed Diehl, Christine Drazan, Chris Dudley, and Danielle Bethell answered pre-screened questions on pre-approved topics. Notably missing from the debate were questions about:

• Trump's illegal and costly war in Iran, which puts American lives at risk while raising gas prices that have increased by a dollar per gallon for Oregonians.
• Trump's illegal tariffs, even though they have raised the prices of everyday goods for Oregonians.
• The Trump administration's plans to send masked federal agents and the National Guard into Oregon.
• Efforts from groups like Oregon Right to Life, which has endorsed two of the candidates on stage, to restrict abortion access and reproductive rights.
• Any of Trump's disastrous, reckless and illegal policies.

"Once again, the GOP candidates spent over an hour and half in front of voters running away from Trump and his policies," said Candy Emmons, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Oregon. "These candidates know how deeply unpopular the Republican party is, and they know they're not ready for prime time."

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