SALEM, OR -- After months of speculation and campaigning, former State Senator Betsy Johnson is another step closer to being an official candidate for Oregon Governor. Her campaign says supporters delivered 48,214 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday.

Because she’s not affiliated with a political party, she needs 23,744 valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. “By delivering more than twice the number of signatures needed, we’ve made it very difficult for the political establishment to imagine ways to keep me off the ballot,” said Johnson. 

The Secretary of State has until August 30th to verify those signatures.

Johnson faces Democrat Tina Kotek and Republican Christine Drazan in the gubernatorial race. 

Previous Coverage: Three Candidates For Governor Face Off