predecessor Portland Trail Blazers Players are doing their best to become the next governor of Oregon.

Chris Dudley, Republican, 16 NBA Army veteran, announced his candidacy for the role in a video posted online.

“I love Oregon and even though we have some serious problems, there are solutions and I believe our best days are ahead of us,” he said in the video.

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Republican candidate for Oregon Governor Chris Dudley speaks during a town hall meeting at Portland Bolt Manufacturing on Thursday, August 26, 2010 in Portland, Oregon. (Tom Hauck/Bloomberg)

“However, in order to address these challenges, the empty promises, name-calling, finger-pointing and fear-mongering must stop, which solves nothing. You deserve better.”

Dudley spent six of his 16 NBA seasons in Portland as the team’s center.

Dudley was born in Connecticut and attended high school in San Diego. californiaPlayed in Portland from 1993-97 and returned for the 2001-02 season. He spent his final two seasons with the Trail Blazers before retiring.

Dudley became Oregon governor in 2010 by less than two percentage points, trailing then-Democrat John Kitzhaber (49.3% to 47.8%).

Republican candidate for Oregon Governor Chris Dudley speaks during a town hall meeting at Portland Bolt Manufacturing on Thursday, August 26, 2010 in Portland, Oregon. (Tom Hauck/Bloomberg)

He joins a current group of 14 Republicans who have announced they will run against incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek. Kotek and five other Democrats have also announced their candidacy.

The Oregon primary is scheduled for May 19.

Dudley began his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 1987 NBA draft. He played there for three seasons before being traded to the New Jersey Nets.

Republican Oregon gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley poses for a photo after a town hall meeting at Portland Bolt Manufacturing on Thursday, August 26, 2010 in Portland, Oregon. (Tom Hauck/Bloomberg)

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Dudley spent four seasons with the Nets before joining the Trail Blazers. After his first four seasons, he joined the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns before returning to Portland.

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