Oregon Public Broadcasting

Three Oregon Republican gubernatorial hopefuls duked it out at a debate  Friday night.

The showdown took place at the annual Dorchester gathering of Republicans in Seaside.

Chris Lehman was there and has this report.

Republicans are trying to win the Oregon governor's office for the first time in more than 20 years.

The three GOP candidates took aim more at Democrats in Salem than at each other.

Allen Alley is a former businessman who previously ran for state treasurer.

Allen Alley: "I don't know if you noticed, but government spending is out of control."

Former state lawmaker John Lim said Republicans should select him as their nominee since he repeatedly won legislative races in heavily Democratic Multnomah County.

And former NBA player Chris Dudley said his lack of governmental experience would be offset by fresh ideas.

Chris Dudley: "I'm an outsider. I'm coming in completely from the outside."

The debate focused on economic issues. Potentially divisive social issues such as abortion and gay marriage were not addressed.

A fourth GOP candidate, Bill Sizemore, attended the debate but was not invited to speak.