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

Leading Oregon Republicans gathered Nov. 1 for their biggest confab of the year, the 11th annual Reagan Dinner. The event brought together elected leaders, donors, consultants, and hundreds of activists eager for their party to win a governor’s race for the first time since 1982.

The big question of the night at the NW Events & Environments ballroom in Hillsboro: Would any of the speakers reveal they were joining the already announced candidates for governor, Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethel and state Sen. Christine Drazan (R-Canby), the 2022 nominee?

Speculation centered on the tallest man in the room, Chris Dudley, the 6-foot-11 former Trail Blazers center who ran a strong race

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