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A former Portland Trail Blazers player is doing everything he can to be Oregon’s next governor.
Chris Dudley, a Republican and 16-year NBA veteran, announced his candidacy for the seat in a video posted online.
“I love Oregon, and although we have some serious problems, there are solutions and I believe our best days are ahead of us,” he said in the video.
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Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley speaks during a Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Co. town hall meeting in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010. (Tom Hauck/Bloomberg)
“However, to resolve these challenges, the empty promises, insults, accusations and fear-mongering that has resolved nothing must stop. You deserve better.”
Dudley spent six of his 16 NBA seasons in Portland as the team’s center.
Dudley, who was born in Connecticut and went to high school in San Diego, California, played in Portland from 1993 to 1997 before returning for the 2001-02 season. He played his final two seasons with the Trail Blazers before retiring.
Dudley came within two percentage points of becoming Oregon’s governor in 2010, falling to then-Democrat John Kitzhaber, 49.3% to 47.8%.
Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley speaks during a Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Co. town hall meeting in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010. (Tom Hauck/Bloomberg)
He now joins a group of 14 Republicans who have announced they will run to defeat incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek. Kotek and five other Democrats also announced they will run.
Oregon’s primary elections are scheduled for May 19.
Dudley began his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 1987 NBA Draft. He played parts of three seasons there before being traded to the New Jersey Nets.
Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley poses for a photo after a public meeting at Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Co. in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010. (Tom Hauck/Bloomberg)
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Dudley spent four seasons with the Nets before joining the Trail Blazers. After his original four-season stint, he landed with the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns before returning to Portland.
