MEDFORD, Ore. (Oct. 5, 2026) — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan will meet Wednesday in Medford for a televised debate as the candidates continue their campaigns for governor ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
The debate, hosted by KOBI-TV NBC5 and Southern Oregon University, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. The event will be produced by KOBI and broadcast live, giving voters across Oregon an opportunity to hear directly from the two candidates.
The Medford debate is the second of three scheduled debates between Kotek and Drazan during the 2026 campaign. The candidates met Oct. 1 in Eugene for a debate hosted by the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, KVAL, Lookout Eugene-Springfield and the Oregon Journalism Project. A third debate is scheduled for Oct. 13 in Bend.
The 2026 election is a rematch of the 2022 Oregon governor’s race, when Kotek defeated Drazan.
A Southern Oregon television institution
The debate will take place at the Medford studios of KOBI-TV, the NBC affiliate serving Southern Oregon and Northern California.
KOBI began broadcasting in Medford on Aug. 1, 1953, making it one of the region’s longest-running television stations. The station operates as KOBI-TV NBC5.
KOBI’s downtown Medford studios are located at 125 S. Fir St. The station has long provided local news coverage to communities throughout Southern Oregon, including Medford and the Rogue Valley.
The station’s history and local presence make the Medford debate notable for Southern Oregon voters, who will have an opportunity to watch the candidates address statewide issues from a local broadcast studio.
KOBI announced in July that it would host the debate in partnership with Southern Oregon University. The station said both candidates agreed to participate.
What to expect
Kotek, a Democrat seeking reelection, and Drazan, a Republican state senator, have disagreed throughout the campaign over issues including the state’s economy, housing, homelessness, public safety, education and the role of state government.
Their first October debate featured sharp exchanges over their respective records and policy positions.
Wednesday’s debate comes less than four weeks before Oregon voters will decide who will serve as governor for the next four years.
The debate will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 and will be televised by KOBI-TV.
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