2026 Oregon primary features a candidate who is a pencil

This Oregon gubernatorial candidate may not be anywhere near the lead, but it sure is putting up a graphite.

A pencil is asking Oregonians for their votes in the state’s 2026 race for governor. Campaigning as a write-in candidate, the utensil is asking people to write “Pencil” on their ballots as a way to make the point that Oregon’s politicians should prioritize fixing the state’s education system.