DECISION 2026: One-on-one with gubernatorial candidate David Medina
Spencer Sacks
(UPDATE: Adding Interview in Full)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate David Medina visited Central Oregon this week as the latest stop on his campaign trail ahead of the May 19 primary election. Medina, a Portland native and small business owner, addressed a variety of topics ranging from the state’s energy crisis to his involvement in the Jan. 6 incident at the U.S. Capitol.
During the conversation Medina spoke about energy policy and the impact of AI data centers on local utility costs. He is advocating for a shift toward nuclear energy, arguing that current energy prices have become unsustainable for Oregon residents.
Medina identified the expansion of AI data centers as a significant driver of Oregon’s growing energy needs. He stated that the state must reconsider its approach to renewable energy to address rising costs and what he described as an ongoing energy crisis. While acknowledging historical concerns regarding nuclear energy, Medina argued that the state must explore the option to stabilize costs.
“And, you know, obviously they talk about, you know, what happened in Japan and and the leaks,” Medina said. “And I’m sure you have those, you know, you have those risks. But, you know, that’s something we have to look into. We have to do something different than what we’re doing now. Our energy prices are out of control.”
Medina estimated that even if the state moved forward with nuclear development, Oregon remains approximately eight years away from the completion of a nuclear power plant. Beyond energy, his platform also includes positions on wildfires and education.
The candidate also addressed his presence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and a separate incident at the state Capitol in Salem. Medina characterized his involvement as peaceful and compared his experience in Washington, D.C., to a common tourist activity.
“I never talked to anybody On January 6th,” Medina said. “I walked in, I’m basically like a lot of people on a guided tour. I’m not saying January 6th, there wasn’t a lot of stuff happened there. I never stood with any of there was any violence there, never stood with that.”
Medina emphasized that he supports law enforcement and suggested that many people present during the event were unfairly categorized.
“I’ve never been with that,” Medina said. “That is something I support my law enforcement. But the majority of people on January 6th were being guilty by association.”
The primary election is scheduled for May 19. The full interview with Medina is available at KTVZ.com.