Jon Justesen, a Sherman County rancher and businessman, has

to seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

Justesen, 61, is the first potential opponent to Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber, who hasn't said yet whether he would seek a record fourth term in office.

Besides running his family's long-time cattle and wheat ranch in Eastern Oregon, Justesen is also a big investor and board member of

, which handles payroll, human resources and other similar functions for businesses.

Justesen starts with little name recognition and a scant political resume -- a losing race in 2012 for county commission in Sherman County, population 1,765.

And he does have some unorthodox views for a Republican.

"We have to have a sales tax and we have to have a more progressive income tax," said Justesen, explaining that the state needs more revenue to improve its schools. At the same time, he said, the state also needs to cut property taxes because of their unfairness.

Justesen also said the Republicans have "made major mistakes" on social issues and immigration. He said he supports a woman's right to an abortion and doesn't oppose gay marriage. He also argued that the country should welcome as many immigrants as possible, believing it strengthens the economy.

"We need them," he said, "every single one of them that has come to today."

Justesen said if he was elected governor, he wouldn't take a salary or join the state's public employee pension system.

"Jon is definitely colorful and is never without a point of view," said Greg Leo, the Oregon Republican Party's chief of staff. Leo said the party would not make any pre-primary endorsement and said he expected "there will be many more" GOP candidates for governor.

-- Jeff Mapes