Oregon Public Broadcasting

An iconic Oregon politician will take on a political newcomer in the race for governor this year. Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris Dudley each won their party's nod in Tuesday's primary.

It didn't take long after the polls closed for the Kitzhaber campaign to declare victory over his opponent, former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.

An eager crowd of supporters gathered at a Portland ballroom. MC's Mark Hass and Caitlin Baggot cued the former governor for his grand entrance.

Mark Hass: "Please welcome with me John Kitzhaber."

A full minute passed, and Kitzhaber was nowhere to be seen.

Caitlin Baggott: “Maybe he's waiting for his entry song.”

Then, in walked Kitzhaber. His song? “I am everyday people” … perhaps a nod to his penchant for dressing in blue jeans.

While Kitzhaber told the crowd that he is proud to be a Democrat, he repeated a theme he used often during the primary…that he's trying to create a new political center in Oregon.

John Kitzhaber: "During this campaign I have not talked about defeating a Republican candidate in November. I have talked about how we move Oregon forward in these difficult times"

If Kitzhaber wins in November, he'd become the first Oregon governor to serve a third term. Term limits forced him out of office eight years ago.

Kitzhaber will face someone who's never run for public office before, but who has plenty of experience being in the spotlight.

Chris Dudley: "I an honored and humbled to stand before you as the nominee of the Republican Party to be Oregon's next governor."

Chris Dudley played 16 years in the NBA, including two stints with the Portland Trail Blazers. He told a crowd gathered at the Portland Rose Garden basketball arena that as a political outsider, he would bring fresh ideas to the job of governor.

Dudley defeated businessman Allen Alley and seven other Republicans to win the nomination.

For Alley, this was his second loss in a race for statewide office in 18 months. He ran unsuccessfully for Oregon Treasurer in 2008. Alley says he's not sure if he'll continue in politics.

And while Alley says he respects Chris Dudley, he thinks Dudley will have his work cut out for him in the general election.

Allen Alley: "He really has to crystallize his message. And John is a tough competitor. Governor Kitzhaber and I have debated several times. It's intellectually sort of a Rubik's Cube to compete with John because he is very, very bright. But I think Chris is up to the challenge and I'm looking forward to that."

Both Kitzhaber and Dudley are wasting no time hitting the campaign trail after their primary victories. Both have events scheduled this morning. And in a sign that the next six months could take on a harder edge than the primary season, the Oregon Democratic Party has already unveiled a website attacking Chris Dudley.

Another possible wrinkle? Attorney and lobbyist John DiLorenzo is considering an independent bid for governor.