Nike Co-founder Donates $330K to Oregon Republicans

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — New campaign finance filings show that a Nike co-founder gave at least $330,000 to Republicans running for positions in the Oregon legislature.

The Register-Guard reports that the wealthiest man in Oregon, Phil Knight, gave thousands in personal campaign contributions to seven Republican candidates in battleground districts last month, including two incumbents and five newcomers seeking open House seats.

It's unusual for Knight to provide sizeable donations only to Republicans. The last time he personally donated to Oregon legislative races was in 2012, when he gave $55,000 to 10 Democrats and $75,000 to 12 Republicans.

In 2014, he gave $250,000 to Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber.

Knight didn't respond Tuesday to a request for comment about his recent contributions.