PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Although The Associated Press has called the Oregon governor’s race for Democrat Tina Kotek, Republican candidate Christine Drazan has not yet conceded.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Drazan said “with several hundred thousand ballots yet to be counted, we continue to exercise patience as we await additional clarity regarding the final outcome of this race. Oregonians should have confidence that their votes will be counted as our county clerks continue their diligent work.”

Drazan’s statement comes after Kotek claimed she won the race just after 8 p.m. Wednesday and during a press conference Thursday morning. However, Drazan’s statement was released hours before The AP called it for Kotek.

The AP officially projected Kotek as the winner of the race with 47% of the vote while Drazan had 43% with 85% of the votes counted just before 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

When asked why she declared a win before the Associated Press projected final results, Kotek pointed to projections made by The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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FILE – Democratic nominee Tina Kotek speaks during a gubernatorial debate in Welches, Ore., Friday, July 29, 2022. The conduct committee of the Oregon House determined on Monday, Oct. 31, 2021, that Kotek did not create a hostile work environment for a lawmaker when she was House speaker. (Jaime Valdez/Pamplin Media Group via AP, Pool,File)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek speaks to supporters after the results of Oregon’s primary election are announced in Portland, Ore., Tuesday May 17, 2022. Kotek defeated Tobias Read to win the nomination. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Tina Kotek declares victory in Oregon gubernatorial race; AP not projecting winner yet

“Oregon faces major challenges, and I look forward to getting to work to solve them. I promise to be a Governor for all of Oregon,” Kotek said in a statement on Wednesday. “I will start by working tirelessly to deliver results on issues of shared concern across our state: housing and homelessness, access to mental health and addiction treatment, helping our students succeed, and supporting small businesses.”

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this race.