Oregon Candidate Campaigns as Giant Pencil to Focus on State's Reading Proficiency

By Dirk VanderHart, OPB/NPR

*Published: 2026-05-11*


*Eli Imadali/OPB*

PORTLAND, Ore. — The downtown Saturday farmers market in Portland features vendors and performers along several blocks under large elm trees. On a recent Saturday, a person in a six-foot-tall pencil costume interacted with attendees there.

"My name is Pencil," the figure said to one marketgoer while handing over a flyer. "I'm running for governor to raise awareness about education."

"You're running as a pencil or a person?" the attendee replied.

"As a pencil."

The costume depicts a yellow pencil with a pointed lead tip above a bespectacled face, a long yellow body, and a pink eraser near the base.

The candidate, known as Pencil, is participating in Oregon's 2026 gubernatorial race. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking re-election in November. Several Republicans are competing in their May 19 primary to challenge her. Pencil, operated by J. Schuberth, is urging voters to write in "Pencil" on ballots instead of selecting candidates from either major party.

Pencil's campaign centers on Oregon's student reading performance. According to a 2022 analysis of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, Oregon fourth-graders ranked last among states in reading proficiency. Scores for Oregon fourth-graders on NAEP reading assessments showed no gains from 2003 to 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This reflects on state leadership," Schuberth, a former college professor and literacy advocate, said from inside the costume. Schuberth noted that Democrats have held a supermajority or near-supermajority in the Oregon Legislature for an extended period and have shaped education policy.

Schuberth, who has advocated for literacy improvements amid Oregon's position relative to other states, constructed the costume this year and began campaigning.


*Eli Imadali/OPB*

Pencil is not eligible to serve as governor under the Oregon Constitution, which specifies requirements for the chief executive that do not include anthropomorphic objects.

Schuberth stated that write-in votes for Pencil could demonstrate public concern over education to Kotek and other officials.

"That would indicate a significant issue," Schuberth said. "Voters opting for a write-in like this shows dissatisfaction."

Oregon election rules limit tabulation of write-in votes. Officials count write-ins for specific candidates only if the total write-ins surpass the leading candidate's total.

"If write-ins are numerous, officials will review them," Schuberth said, adding they plan to request ballot images to track Pencil votes independently.


*Eli Imadali/OPB*

At the Portland farmers market, Pencil discussed Oregon's reading scores with attendees, many of whom identified as Democrats. Kotek faces limited opposition in her primary. Several expressed openness to a write-in vote for Pencil.

"I want Kotek to win overall," said Portland resident Randy Hueber, but he said he would consider writing in Pencil to emphasize the education issue.

Suzanne Lassen, another Portland resident, criticized the state's student performance.

"Our education system has declined," Lassen said. She indicated she would write in Pencil due to perceived ineffectiveness of current leadership.

Anna Mackay, at the market with her young children, described challenges with public schools.

"We have chosen private school for our children despite financial constraints, based on these results," Mackay said. She said she would consider a write-in for Pencil.

Joe Hagedorn, a candidate for county judge campaigning nearby, also responded positively.

"I would consider it," Hagedorn said. "Pencil's education focus aligns with my priorities."


*Eli Imadali/OPB*

Education has emerged as a key topic in the gubernatorial race. Republican primary candidates have highlighted Democratic policies in connection with test scores.

Kotek has identified reading proficiency as a priority since taking office. Her administration has increased funding for reading instruction programs. In 2025, she signed legislation expanding state authority to intervene in districts with low performance. Oregon's per-pupil K-12 spending exceeds $19,000 annually, compared to about $13,000 in Mississippi, according to recent state education finance data.

"I recognize the literacy challenges in reading and writing," Kotek said in an interview. "That's why it has been a focus from my first year."

These initiatives are recent, and test scores have not shown improvement according to available data. Schuberth described Kotek's measures as insufficient and predicted they would not yield results. Schuberth pointed to Mississippi, where targeted literacy programs have improved NAEP scores since 2013, as an example for Oregon.


*Eli Imadali/OPB*

To promote the campaign, Schuberth distributes materials including postcards, flyers, and magnets featuring Pencil alongside the message: "Oregon's education system is failing our kids, but together we can FIX it!"

According to Schuberth, they have spent nearly $30,000 of personal funds on the effort so far.

The campaign plans to continue into the November general election after the May primary.

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