RATINGS CHANGE: Sabato’s Crystal Ball Moves Oregon Governor’s Race To “Toss Up”

Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball became the latest race ranking outlet to move the Oregon governor’s race in the GOP direction today, from “Leans Democratic” to “Toss Up.” It’s further evidence that Republican Knute Buehler’s bid to oust failed Democrat Governor Kate Brown is continuing to gain traction.

“Buehler is running against Brown’s management of the state,” writes Crystal Ball. “A Republican has not won a governor’s race in the Beaver State since 1982,” but Oregon this year is “very much in play.”

Crystal Ball’s ratings change comes as newspapers across Oregon, including the state’s largest, The Oregonian, buck historical trends and endorse Knute Buehler over Brown.

Crystal Ball now joins the Cook Political Report and RealClearPolitics in rating the Oregon governor’s race a “toss up.”