This story was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state.

The Republican Party of Oregon’s 11th annual Reagan dinner, slated for Nov. 1, includes a big-name keynote speaker this year: U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

But the party faithful may have just as much or more interest in two of the other speakers: former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley and onetime University of Oregon wrestler and MMA fighter Chael Sonnen, a West Linn native.

Dudley retired in 2003 after a 16-year NBA career that included two stints with the Blazers. In 2010, he won the GOP nomination for an open governor’s seat and ran a strong race against Democrat John Kitzhaber, losing by 1.5%, fewer than 25,000 votes.

Sonnen’s political career is less noteworthy. He briefl

See Full Page