Chris Dudley's free throw shots were always iffy propositions. Now the former Portland Trail Blazer is in a new arena taking aim at a governor's chair _ and Oregon's Republicans think he can score.

Dudley hasn't formally announced a bid for the post, but he filed paperwork last week to create a campaign committee.

"I'll make a decision soon and report back. One way or another, I intend to help change Oregon for the better," he said in a statement.

Dudley, 44, wouldn't be the first professional athlete to make the transition into politics. The late Congressman Jack Kemp of New York was an NFL quarterback, and former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey was an NBA standout for years.

Oregon's GOP is hoping Dudley decides to run, betting that voters _ especially independents _ are looking for a different sort of candidate.

"He's a solid guy, and Oregonians know that," says state Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan. "If Dudley wins the primary, the Democrats are going to be in trouble, because he would be a breakout candidate. He is somebody who is dramatically different."

Most political observers see former Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber as the favorite to reclaim the office in next year's election, given his popularity with voters and the fact that Oregon's electorate has been trending more Democratic blue.

Republicans are hoping that Dudley, with name ID he's built up as a former NBA player, will give them a contender with a degree of star power and fund-raising ability for 2010.

Dudley, despite his reputation as one of the worst foul shooters in NBA history, was considered one of the league's better rebounders and shotblockers.

Still, political observer Jim Moore said it would be a stretch to refer to Dudley as a "former Blazers star," given the fact that he was never considered one of the team's best players.

"He's no Bill Bradley," said Moore, who teaches political science at Pacific University in Forest Grove.

But there's no doubt that Dudley, if he runs, would bring name familiarity to the race given that he had two stints playing for the Trail Blazers, from 1993-97 and from 2001-03. Continued...