Oregon Secretary of State Rejects Nicholas Kristof’s Bid to Run for Governor

(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Secretary of State is rejecting Democrat Nicholas Kristof's filing to run for governor. Secretary Shemia Fagan says the former New York Times journalist doesn't meet the constitutional requirements to serve. Under the Oregon Constitution, a candidate for governor must have been a resident in the state for three years before the election.

"The rules are the rules and they apply equally to all candidates for
office in Oregon. I stand by the determination of the experts in the Oregon Elections Division that Mr. Kristof does not currently meet the Constitutional requirements to run or serve as Oregon Governor," said Fagan.

Kristof plans to appeal the decision in court, and the office stated it will do everything possible to make that a smooth, timely process.

"My office remains focused on ensuring a fair process and meeting our March 17th deadline, after which clerks begin printing ballots. While the primary election is in May, for Oregon’s elections administrators, the work begins much sooner." said Oregon Elections Director Deborah Scroggin.

She further notes that Kristof had voted as a New York resident in 2020 and held a New York driver’s license. Though he owned and maintained homes in both New York and Oregon, officials said he spent most of his time out of Oregon.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Kristof speaks at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers event in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Elizabeth Shafiroff