Two years after losing her race for governor, Christine Drazan is seeking a return to the state House and plans to challenge fellow Republican James Hieb in the primary.

Hieb, a Canby Republican appointed to replace Drazan when she resigned to focus on her gubernatorial campaign in early 2022, told the Capital Chronicle that Drazan called him as a courtesy so he wouldn’t find out through rumors. He said Drazan’s decision was a “little surprising,” and that he still plans to run for reelection in the 51st House District.

“She’s a good woman,” Hieb said. “I just believe I’m a better fit for the district.”

Drazan did not immediately return a call but said in an emailed statement later Tuesday that she felt called to run because of crime, homelessness, regulations and taxes.

“I cannot in good conscience remain on the sidelines as Oregon’s leaders push our state further into decline,” Drazan said. “That’s why today I’m declaring my candidacy for Oregon’s 51st House District. I look forward to continuing to serve my community and to fighting for common-sense solutions for our state’s challenges.”

She also announced that Matt Bunch, a school bus driver who previously filed to run as a Republican, has withdrawn and endorsed her. In a statement provided by Drazan’s campaign, Bunch said his neighbors need a strong voice in Salem.

“When Christine Drazan let me know that she wanted to return to her position as state representative, I was excited she was stepping up and proud to support her,” Bunch said. “On all of the issues we campaigned on, from repealing Measure 110, to being a strong voice for parents in their children’s education, to maintaining local control in our communities, Christine has been a fighter for years.”

Drazan served in the House from 2019 until she resigned in January 2022. She became the Republican leader just nine months into her tenure and led the Republican caucus for more than two years, including through several walkouts over climate change legislation, redistricting and the pace of legislative actions.

She was the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, losing to Gov. Tina Kotek by nearly 70,000 votes in a three-way race with nearly 2 million votes cast. After her gubernatorial loss, Drazan started the nonprofit organization A New Direction and has spent months hosting round table discussions throughout the state and rallying opposition to legislative proposals she doesn’t like.

Hieb said he let the other members of his 24-member Republican caucus know when he heard from Drazan. He was initially appointed to finish her term and then won election to his own two-year term in 2022 by a two-thirds margin in a deeply Republican district.

Hieb is a retired Marine who served in Iraq and now runs a preschool with his family. He sustained a traumatic brain injury while in active duty in Fallujah and has championed legislation around brain injuries, including a law passed last year that expands services for Oregonians with brain injuries.