Nike Co-Founder Makes Large Contribution to Independent Candidate in Oregon Governor Race

(Salem, OR) -- Just doing it; the co-founder and former CEO of Portland-based Nike is throwing money down on his horse in the Oregon Gubernatorial race. Phil Knight has donated a quarter-of-a-million dollars to former state Senator Betsy Johnson's campaign. It's one of the two largest campaign contributions made to anyone in the race so far this year. Knight is one of just a handful of billionaires in Oregon and has made large donations in recent governor’s races, mostly to Republican candidates. Johnson, however, is running as an Independent.

As of Thursday, she reported $3.5 million in her treasury--so far, more than any other candidate.