Oregon Senate

Jeff Merkley (D) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Democratic.

• 

  Jeff Merkley

  Democrat · holds this seat today

  F

  Liberty Score F

  On the liberty side in 8 of 80 votes and bills.

  Raised $5,376,935 since January 2025: 77% from people, 13% transfers and other income, 11% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov

  Every vote behind this grade
• 

  David Brock Smith

  Republican · oregon state senator, former state representative and restaurant owner

  No grade

  No grade yet

  I have no votes in Congress to count for Smith, and what Smith has said and done settles only 1 of my principles. I went through it on October 21. A grade needs 4.

  Raised $311,174 since January 2025: 95% from people, 5% from PACs and other committees, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov

  See each one, with its source

Voting in Oregon: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.

Side by side

A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.

David Brock Smith, on the record

I have no votes in Congress to count for Smith, so the grade above comes from this list: what Smith has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.

• October 2026 · His campaign siteFree markets

  His issues page says making Oregon affordable means no new taxes and less unnecessary government spending.

  “That means no new taxes, more support for our local businesses, eliminating fraud, and reducing unnecessary government spending.”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  A general promise of no new taxes names no tax, so like 'lower taxes' it does not settle the measure.

  Source: David Brock Smith for Oregon, On the IssuesDiscuss this
• April 2026 · StatementBorders

  Said at an April 2026 Republican forum that people here illegally who commit crimes should all be deported right away.

  “When it comes to illegal criminals, they need to all be deported right away”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Deporting those who break the law is with liberty on borders.

  Source: Hermiston Herald, Republicans vying to unseat Bentz, Merkley fire off in PendletonDiscuss this

Also on the ballot

Gary Lyndon Dye (Libertarian), Chris Henry (Progressive).

Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.