Oregon Officials Reject Nicholas Kristof’s Run for State Governor

On Jan 7, 2022

The Oregon election officials notified Kristof’s campaign that, he cannot run for governor of the state as he does not meet residency requirements.

The Oregon Elections Division said in a statement that, the state requires a candidate for governor to have been a resident within this state for three years before the election.

“As Oregon’s chief elections official, it is my responsibility to make sure all candidates on the state-wide ballot are qualified to serve if elected,” Secretary of State Shemia Fagan said.

In a separate statement, Kristof said he would challenge this decision in court and would continue running for governor.

Deborah Scroggin, Oregon elections director said, “If Mr Kristof chooses to appeal, the Oregon Elections Division is committed to doing everything possible to allow  Oregon courts to decide  promptly.”

In October last year, Kristof announced that he was running for governor, saying he hoped to address systemic social issues in the state where he grew up on his family’s sheep and cherry farm.

Kristof, 62, who is from Yamhill, a rural community in western Oregon, said if elected he would tackle homelessness, poverty, drug addiction and inadequate education.

Kamila/Reuters