In 1990, Dudley missed 13 consecutive free throws, setting an NBA recordHe also was awarded USA Today's 1997 'Most Caring Athlete' award. A good guy. Unlike most NBA players, he actually graduated before going pro, earning Bachelors in Political Science and Economics from Yale in 1987.
He retired from the NBA after the 2002-2003 season and lives in Lake Oswego, OR. Read the Wikipedia link for more details concerning his life in Oregon after NBA retirement.
So, why should RTP&GG care? Because earlier this year, he won the Republican nomination to run for Governor of the State of Oregon. He beat a crowded field of so-so Republicans. He doesn't have any significant executive or government experience. My initial reaction was to sigh and say "what a sorry state Republicans are in, in Oregon". The Democrats nominated popular two-term governor John Kitzhaber, who was governor before our current Democrat (and ex-Marine) Ted Kulongoski. Kitzhaber was term-limited, but now is eligible to serve again. Both Democratic governors have done their damnedest to increase the power of public employees unions in their tenures, and have been pretty successful at it. I figured that, in now heavily Democratic and tax-loving Oregon, newbie Dudley wouldn't have a chance. He doesn't even have that much name recognition as a Blazer, let alone a politician.
But surprisingly, in all three polls published this year, Dudley has come out ahead of Kitzhaber. He's not leading by much, but throughout June he has maintained the lead over the well-known and well-liked former governor. I don't know his politics. He could be a Scott Brown or he could be a Jim DeMint, but regardless, the fact that a relative no-name can compete effectively in Oregon against a popular Democrat shows how real the Republican tide is this year.
