Nike cofounder Phil Knight backs Republican to replace Dem in Oregon governor's mansion

The state's last Republican governor was Victor Atiyeh, who left office in 1987.

By Ben Whedon

Nike cofounder Phil Knight is supporting a Republican seeking the Oregon governorship this November in a bid to stop the Democratic candidate from winning.

Knight has sent $1 million to Republican Christine Drazan and a further $3.75 million to independent candidate Betsy Johnson, all in a bid to stop Democrat Tina Kotek from winning, according to the New York Post. Knight initially backed Johnson, but switched to Drazan due to the independent's sagging poll numbers.

Oregon is facing a rare, three-way gubernatorial race in which an independent candidate has significant pull with the electorate. The RealClearPolitics polling average currently shows Drazan with an average 3% lead, with 37.3% support, to Kotek's 34.3% and Johnson's 16%.

The Post highlighted the contrast between Knight backing an anti-abortion Republican and Nike's vow of financial support for women to travel across state lines to have the procedure, a contrast Knight himself has acknowledged.

"Nike has good leadership," he said of the matter to the New York Times. "They make choices, whatever they want, but I think I’m more conservative than Nike."

Oregon's last Republican governor was Victor Atiyeh, who left office in 1987.