Who's In the Race
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is seeking reelection against Republican David Brock Smith, Gary Dye and Chris Henry in Oregon's U.S. Senate race.
Merkley was first elected to the Senate in 2008, after serving in the Oregon House and as its Speaker, and before that led Portland-area Habitat for Humanity.
Smith is an Oregon state senator for District 1, representing southwest Oregon, a third-generation Port Orford resident and small-business owner who took over his family's restaurant and lounge; he moved to the state Senate in January 2023 after serving in the state House beginning in 2017.
In the May 19 Democratic primary, Merkley won about 94 percent of the vote over Paul D. Wells. Smith won the seven-candidate Republican primary with about 30 percent, edging Jo Rae Perkins, who finished second with about 27 percent.
According to his campaign website, Gary Dye is a Portland-born chemical engineer, physicist, author, and Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate from Oregon.
According to his campaign website, Chris Henry is a long-haul trucker and former UAW aircraft mechanic.
What They Stand For
According to his campaign website and his Senate legislative priorities page, Merkley has supported ending secret campaign funding, expanding vote-by-mail, and blocking election manipulation, saying "End secret campaign funding." He has advocated shifting to 100 percent clean and renewable energy built with union labor, saying "We must invest in a shift to 100% clean and renewable energy sources." He supports Medicare for All and lowering prescription-drug costs, including extending the $35 insulin cap beyond Medicare, and has proposed barring hedge funds from owning homes to expand affordable housing. On the Senate filibuster, he has supported reform to allow debate and action on legislation, arguing in the League of Women Voters of Oregon 2026 Voters' Guide that "A talking filibuster gives the minority a voice, not a veto."
According to his campaign website, Smith has proposed encouraging local job growth, supporting small businesses, opposing new taxes, and reducing government spending to address affordability. He has supported law enforcement and accountability for repeat offenders, saying he favors "restoring consequences that keep our kids and communities safe." On homelessness, he has called for drug and mental-health treatment, accountability, and an end to permanent street camping. He has backed active forest management and fuel reduction for wildfire prevention, arguing that federal rules should prioritize the needs and safety of Oregonians.
According to the League of Women Voters of Oregon 2026 Voters' Guide, Dye has proposed replacing most taxes with a Universal Transaction Tax, ending property taxes, cutting federal spending and debt, bringing U.S. troops home, and suspending foreign aid. Henry has supported Medicare for All, free publicly funded education, higher wages, reducing U.S. military spending, campaign-finance reform restricting corporate political spending, and expanding local wind and solar energy.
Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets
The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 23; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Merkley, a 97.6 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 12.
Democrat Ron Wyden won Oregon's 2022 U.S. Senate race with about 56 percent of the vote. Democrats won four of Oregon's six U.S. House seats in 2022 and five of six in 2024. In the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Oregon with about 55 percent of the vote.
---
AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.
---
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article