{"id":2603648,"date":"2026-05-17T08:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T12:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2026-oregon-primary-features-a-candidate-who-is-a-pencil\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T08:48:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T12:48:09","slug":"2026-oregon-primary-features-a-candidate-who-is-a-pencil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2026-oregon-primary-features-a-candidate-who-is-a-pencil\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Oregon primary features a candidate who is a pencil"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F2026-oregon-primary-features-a-candidate-who-is-a-pencil%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2603648&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An Oregon 2026 gubernatorial write-in campaign is using a pencil as its symbol to spotlight the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >poor fourth-grade reading performance<\/a>, which it says ranks last nationally in the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The campaign is run by J. Schuberth, who says their personal experience with dyslexia and an advocate\u2019s background motivate the effort. <\/p>\n<p>While the \u201cPencil\u201d itself cannot legally hold office, the campaign aims to draw attention to systemic education and literacy problems and to push for reform, with Schuberth arguing Oregon needs trained teachers to help all children learn to read. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, the likely favorite to advance to the November <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/impossible-gop-picked-up-seats-in-house-picked-up-state-legislatures-picked-up-governorship-held-the-senate-but-sniffy-joe-won-not-a-chance\/\" title=\"IMPOSSIBLE: GOP Picked Up Seats in House, Picked Up State Legislatures, Picked Up Governorship, Held the Senate -- But Sniffy Joe Won?... NOT A CHANCE\">general election<\/a>, says she agrees and points to early literacy initiatives from her first term. <\/p>\n<p>On the Republican side, Christine Drazan, Ed Diehl, and Chris Dudley are competing in a crowded contest, with Drazan and Dudley previously running close races against Kotek. The article notes Oregon\u2019s primary is set for may 19, giving the Pencil campaign more time to raise awareness before that vote.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>This <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/oregon\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1417\">Oregon<\/a> gubernatorial candidate may not be anywhere near the lead, but it sure is putting up a graphite.<\/p>\n<p>A pencil is asking Oregonians for their votes in the state\u2019s 2026 race for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/governor\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1155\">governor<\/a>. Campaigning as a write-in candidate, the utensil is asking people to write \u201cPencil\u201d on their ballots as a way to make the point that Oregon\u2019s politicians should prioritize fixing the state\u2019s education system.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4571561\/spencer-pratt-for-the-dogs-animal-abuse-campaign\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Spencer Pratt is \u2018for the dogs\u2019 in animal abuse campaign<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4570452\/karen-bass-fires-back-spencer-pratt-campaign-ads\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Karen Bass fires back at Spencer Pratt\u2019s \u2018violent\u2019 AI campaign ads<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4569122\/abigail-spanberger-concedes-defeat-redistricting\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Spanberger concedes defeat on redistricting and says 2026 elections will use old map<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Pencil is hoping to raise awareness about Oregon ranking last among states in its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.urban.org\/research\/publication\/states-demographically-adjusted-performance-2024-national-assessment\">demographically-adjusted<\/a> 4th-grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-unions-lost-nearly-quarter-of-a-million-members-after-court-struck-down-mandatory-membership\/\" title=\"Top Unions Lost Nearly Quarter of a Million Members After Court Struck Down Mandatory Membership\">annual report card<\/a>. The person behind the Pencil is J. Schuberth, a former professor and education advocate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cThe point of Pencil\u2019s campaign is to alert Oregonians that we are 50th out of 50 states in 4th-grade literacy,\u201d Pencil told the <em>Washington Examine<\/em>r. \u201cThis isn\u2019t our kids, parents, or teachers\u2019 fault. It\u2019s a systemic problem, and we can fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schuberth, who has dyslexia and a child with dyslexia, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pencil4gov.com\/aboutus\">says<\/a> those experiences have made them \u201cknow the life-changing power of having teachers who are trained to teach all children to read.\u201d Schuberth filed \u201cPencil PAC\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pencil is asking Oregon voters to write in \u201cPencil\u201d on their ballots as a vote for childhood education reform. (Photo courtesy\/Pencil for Governor)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Pencil, as an object, cannot legally win the race or serve as the governor of Oregon. But Schuberth is hoping Pencil\u2019s candidacy gets more eyes on the state\u2019s low literacy rates and raises awareness about education issues across the state.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPencil represents the children of Oregon, who don\u2019t have their own lobbying group, and\u00a0is in the race to make sure grown-ups stay focused on the issue: Our education system is failing our kids,\u201d Pencil wrote in a statement to the <em>Washington Examine<\/em>r. \u201cWe know what to do. Now let\u2019s do it.\u00a0That\u2019s why Pencil\u2019s campaign matters even if they will never\u00a0be Oregon\u2019s #1 (or #2) politician.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR) is running for reelection this year, as her first term as governor comes to an end. Despite <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.statesmanjournal.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/02\/06\/oregon-gov-tina-kotek-ranking-unpopular-governors\/88550241007\/\">some<\/a> dips in her support in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonlive.com\/politics\/2026\/05\/koteks-popularity-craters-in-portland-poll-shows-what-that-could-mean-for-republican-candidates.html\">approval polls<\/a>, the incumbent is likely to beat her Democratic primary challengers, paving her way to the general election in November.<\/p>\n<p>Kotek told Oregon Public Broadcasting that Pencil has a point and raised education-related policies she\u2019s worked on in her first term, like a new early literacy program.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI agree with Pencil,\u201d Kotek <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/11\/nx-s1-5781255\/oregon-reading-education-governor-pencil\">said<\/a>. \u201cWe have a problem when it comes to literacy and reading and writing in our state. That\u2019s why it\u2019s been a priority for me since my first year as governor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On the Republican side of the ballot, in a crowded primary, state Senator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/442462\/midterm-results-tina-kotek-wins-tight-oregon-governors-race\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"442462\">Christine Drazan<\/a>, state Representative Ed Diehl, and former Portland Trailblazer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4433612\/former-nba-player-chris-dudley-launches-bid-oregon-governor\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4433612\">Chris Dudley<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>For Dudley, polling estimates were close in 2010, with several <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/815050\/some-devastating-polls-for-democrats\/\">showing<\/a> 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%.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4570583\/supreme-court-denies-democrat-bid-revive-virginia-gerrymander\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4570583\">SUPREME COURT DENIES DEMOCRATS\u2019 BID TO REVIVE VIRGINIA GERRYMANDER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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%.<\/p>\n<p>Primary day in the Beaver State is set for May 19, giving Pencil a few more days to get the word out before Tuesday. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oregon\u2019s Pencil write-in bid urges voters to back education reform in 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2603649,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_5261.jpeg?w=320","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[45496,79810,79809,79811,64460],"class_list":["post-2603648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2026-election","tag-campaign-symbolism","tag-oregon-primary","tag-pencil-2","tag-political-candidate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_5261.jpeg?w=320","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603648"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603652,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603648\/revisions\/2603652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2603649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}