Oregon Public Broadcasting

This year's race for Oregon governor could be a real barn burner. That's despite the fact that a political neophyte is taking on one of the most experienced politicians in the state.

A new poll released Monday by Davis, Hibbits and Midghall show Republican Chris Dudley and Democrat John Kitzhaber in a dead heat. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

41 percent for Kitzhaber. 41 percent for Dudley. That's where it stands right now, according to the poll of 399 likely voters. 12 percent were undecided.

Pollster Tim Hibbits says an Oregon governor's race hasn't been this close since 1990. He says he doesn't think the numbers will move much between now and Election Day.

Tim Hibbits: "I think frankly that unless one of the two candidates makes a serious mistake, that this is probably destined to be a fairly close race."

Republicans haven't won the Governor's office in Oregon since 1982.

The poll also showed incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Ron Wyden with a 50-to-32 percent lead over Republican challenger Jim Huffman.