Why Oregon is a swing state

[KingSweden]

No, then it becomes a GOP state.  Oregon would have been a swing state last election without Portland.

And that's the key - WITHOUT Portland. Which is growing, fast, along with the rest of Multnomah and Washington.

However, Oregon is not quite as polarized as WA and has elected Republicans to statewide office more recently than WA, so the premise that it is an easier gain for the GOP holds some merit, but only in comparison to its northern and southern neighbors.