Both Republican candidates in the race for Oregon's governor say they support apparent Republican nominee Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency.
Speaking Friday at a City Club of Portland debate, Lake Oswego businessman Allen Alley said he understands why voters find Trump appealing.
“There are a lot of people getting engaged for the first time, whether it’s for Bernie Sanders or for Donald Trump. And the thread that connects them all is they’re saying, ‘Look, this isn’t working for me,'" Alley said. "That’s a unifying theme this year where we finally wake up and we say, ‘You know what? Enough is enough.’”
Alley said he would support whoever is the Republican nominee and "move forward with that."
Salem oncologist Bud Pierce is challenging Alley for the Republican nomination. He said Trump is a clearly better choice than Democratic contenders Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
"I think it's important for Democrats out there ... to realize that on the Republican side over the past eight years there was a great amount of concern that if Barack Obama was elected and re-elected that society would come to an end," Pierce said.
He added that he has a lot of differences from Trump and believes in an inclusive Republican Party.
Pierce said he has confidence Oregon's voters "will elect the right person for president."
The Republicans' remarks came hours before Trump was scheduled to appear at a campaign rally in Eugene.
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