Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
17.8%
36.0%
16.1%
6.9%
Oregon Republican Governor nominee?
$230.7K
MAY 26, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationOregon
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BackgroundPolitician
EducationStanford University — B.S., Mechanical Engineering (1987)
Notable personal detailsEdwin “Ed” Diehl is a Republican politician and engineer serving in the Oregon House of Representatives for District 17, first taking office in January 2023. Before elected office, he co-founded and led Concept Systems, an industrial/factory automation company, and has described his background as engineering and manufacturing-focused business leadership. He has run for Oregon statewide office, including a 2026 campaign for Governor of Oregon.
SourcesShowHide
oregonlegislature.govsecure.sos.state.or.useddiehl.comopb.orgen.wikipedia.orgaxios.comcanyonweekly.comijpr.orggov.oregonlive.comreference.orgoregoncapitalchronicle.comjcor.gopballotready.orgklamathcountyor.govkykn.combloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.comco.lincoln.or.uscontent.govdelivery.comrightnoworegon.comoregoncatalyst.comnewsweek.comwashingtonexaminer.comortlpac.orgastoriajournal.comoregonfirearms.orgoregonfreedom.comktvz.comlykelect.comlinkedin.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgx.comar.linkedin.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgbloomberg.comnga.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes and opposes new or large tax increases, prioritizing tax relief for families and small businesses while fighting transportation and sales tax hikes. Advocates reducing regulatory burdens on businesses and stopping new taxes to improve affordability and job growth.
Healthcare
Ed Diehl has expressed concerns about healthcare workforce shortages and has worked on legislation to reduce licensure barriers for nurses and behavioral health professionals; he has opposed Oregon Health Authority rulemaking that would restrict Medicaid billing by certain mental health clinicians and has called for investigation of alleged Medicaid fraud. He has not published a clear position supporting or opposing major structural reforms such as Medicare for All or large-scale ACA expansion on his campaign site or legislative materials located in this search.
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Immigration & Border
Opposes state programs that prioritize benefits for non‑citizens and criticizes federal ‘open border’ policies; frames migrant-related state spending as unfair to American citizens. Public statements call for ending programs that he views as prioritizing non‑U.S. citizens over residents of Oregon.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports pro-life policies and believes life begins at conception; favors laws that limit abortion access while promoting adoption and supports measures to restrict late-term abortions and other limits that reflect majority views.
Climate & Energy
Supports removing green-energy mandates that he says raise energy costs, emphasizes reliable low-cost baseload power (hydroelectric and nuclear), and prioritizes forest management and reduced regulation over progressive climate mandates. Advocates for market- and reliability-focused energy policy rather than aggressive emissions regulation or rapid fossil-fuel phaseout.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes major new gun regulations and ballot/legislative actions that implement Measure 114 or raise age/permit requirements; frames proposed bills as unconstitutional and harmful to law‑abiding gun owners while supporting law enforcement and tougher public safety measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 21, 2026
Ed Diehl is in the news because he is one of the Republicans competing in Oregon’s contested governor primary, with the May 19 vote deciding the party’s nominee. Recent coverage has focused on his campaign positions on education, affordability, taxes, homelessness, and behavioral health. He also drew attention after a Salem Cinco de Mayo campaign event was moved following a dispute over whether the brewery had approved it.
oregonlegislature.gov+36
Articles
TOThe Oregonian2 days ago
Oregon May 19 primary: Race for governor, gas tax on ballot
Neutral
SSSalem Statesman Journal2 days ago
Election results for 2026 Oregon governor Republican primary
Neutral
EREugene Register-Guard8 days ago
What Oregon Republican governor candidates would do about education
Neutral
EREugene Register-Guard8 days ago
Oregon Republican candidates for governor on business, affordability
Neutral
Polls
Oregon Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising