PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Candidates can start filing for statewide office in next year’s election on September 11.

A few candidates have already declared, including Republican Danielle Bethell, who’s entering the race to unseat incumbent governor and Democrat Tina Kotek.

Bethell is a two-term Marion County Commissioner. A fifth-generation Oregonian, she has been head of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce, a former school board member and a business owner in Marion County.

She and her husband own Bethell Plumbing, which specializes in new construction and remodels.

Bethell joined Eye on Northwest Politics to talk running for Oregon’s highest office in these polarizing times.

Watch the full interview in the video above.