Oregon — Independent gubernatorial candidate Alexander Chase announced Friday that he is withdrawing from the 2026 Oregon governor’s race, saying the decision comes after “deep reflection” and a need to prioritize his health and family.
In a lengthy public statement titled “A Statement to Oregon — From the Heart,” Chase said he entered the race out of a long-standing commitment to the state and a belief that Oregon is at a “crossroads.” Ultimately, he said, remaining in the campaign required sacrifices he was no longer willing to ask of himself or his family.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Chase wrote. “It was made with reverence — for my family, for my health, and for this state I love beyond words.”
Chase emphasized the personal dimension of his exit, noting he continued campaigning “longer than I probably should have” in part out of devotion to his mother. He also cited the effects of political scrutiny on his household: “My family did not ask for this spotlight. My husband did not consent to the exposure, the threats, or the risks that came with it.”
Chase, president of the technology firm Omnithion, positioned himself throughout the race as the only major Independent candidate. He said he would not endorse another contender, instead “endorsing the people of Oregon” and urging respect for voters’ decisions.
His statement included pointed assessments of several policy areas. Chase argued that Oregon must “confront lawlessness honestly,” and he sharply criticized the state’s sanctuary policies, saying they have “failed — not out of cruelty, but out of denial of consequences.” He also warned that artificial intelligence will reshape the economy and that Oregon must prepare for industry disruption rather than “hide” from technological change.
Chase described experiencing “relentless bullying, cruelty, and dehumanization” while campaigning, though he stressed that he does not view himself as a victim. “I am a survivor,” he wrote.
Despite ending his campaign, Chase said he remains committed to public engagement, framing his withdrawal as a strategic redirection rather than a retreat: “This is not surrender. This is stewardship.”
He closed his message with a pledge to continue participating in Oregon’s civic life outside electoral politics. “I am not leaving you,” Chase wrote. “I am simply choosing, for now, to serve you in a different way.”
Chase’s departure reshapes the dynamics of a 2026 governor’s race already defined by sharp disagreements over public safety, economic conditions, and Oregon’s approach to homelessness and migration. As of Thursday, no other candidates had publicly responded to his announcement.
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