Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan traded sharp attacks in their second gubernatorial debate in Medford on Wednesday night, clashing on the economy, education and wildfire policy.

The debate, livestreamed by KOBI, took a more businesslike tone than their fiery first meeting on October 1 at the University of Oregon. Each campaign was quick to declare its candidate the winner.

Polling shows a deadlocked race: a DHM Research poll for Oregon Public Broadcasting put Drazan at 47% and Kotek at 46%, within the margin of error. Two forecasters, Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball, recently shifted the race from likely to lean Democrat.

A third and final debate is scheduled for October 13 in Bend. Oregon has not elected a Republican governor since Vic Atiyeh left office in 1987, but Drazan ran Kotek close in their 2022 rematch, losing by roughly three points.

Both camps claim momentum heading into the final stretch.