This Oregon gubernatorial candidate may not be anywhere near the lead, but it sure is putting up a graphite.
A pencil is asking Oregonians for their votes in the state’s 2026 race for governor. Campaigning as a write-in candidate, the utensil is asking people to write “Pencil” on their ballots as a way to make the point that Oregon’s politicians should prioritize fixing the state’s education system.
Pencil is hoping to raise awareness about Oregon ranking last among states in its demographically-adjusted 4th-grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress’s annual report card. The person behind the Pencil is J. Schuberth, a former professor and education advocate.
“The point of Pencil’s campaign is to alert Oregonians that we are 50th out of 50 states in 4th-grade literacy,” Pencil told the Washington Examiner. “This isn’t our kids, parents, or teachers’ fault. It’s a systemic problem, and we can fix it.”
Schuberth, who has dyslexia and a child with dyslexia, says those experiences have made them “know the life-changing power of having teachers who are trained to teach all children to read.” Schuberth filed “Pencil PAC” with the state of Oregon in late February to fund the symbolic run for governor. To make it clear, Schuberth is not running for governor; Pencil is, as a write-in candidate.
Pencil, as an object, cannot legally win the race or serve as the governor of Oregon. But Schuberth is hoping Pencil’s candidacy gets more eyes on the state’s low literacy rates and raises awareness about education issues across the state.
“Pencil represents the children of Oregon, who don’t have their own lobbying group, and is in the race to make sure grown-ups stay focused on the issue: Our education system is failing our kids,” Pencil wrote in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “We know what to do. Now let’s do it. That’s why Pencil’s campaign matters even if they will never be Oregon’s #1 (or #2) politician.”
Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR) is running for reelection this year, as her first term as governor comes to an end. Despite some dips in her support in approval polls, the incumbent is likely to beat her Democratic primary challengers, paving her way to the general election in November.
Kotek told Oregon Public Broadcasting that Pencil has a point and raised education-related policies she’s worked on in her first term, like a new early literacy program.
“I agree with Pencil,” Kotek said. “We have a problem when it comes to literacy and reading and writing in our state. That’s why it’s been a priority for me since my first year as governor.”
On the Republican side of the ballot, in a crowded primary, state Senator Christine Drazan, state Representative Ed Diehl, and former Portland Trailblazer Chris Dudley have emerged as the front-runners in the race. Both Drazan and Dudley have vied for the gubernatorial seat before, and both ended up in competitive general election match-ups, Dudley in 2010 and Drazan in 2022.
For Dudley, polling estimates were close in 2010, with several showing Dudley leading former Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber, but Dudley lost by just over 22,000 votes, with Kitzhaber besting him 49.3% to 47.8%.
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In 2022, Drazan and Kotek faced off against each other, along with an independent candidate, Betsy Johnson, in the gubernatorial race. Johnson put up a fight and gave Drazan a nudge with the votes she took away from Kotek. On election day, Kotek took the cake with 47% of the vote, while Drazan had 43.6% and Johnson with 8.6%.
Primary day in the Beaver State is set for May 19, giving Pencil a few more days to get the word out before Tuesday.
