U.S. Senate, Oregon · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Oregon U.S. Senate race?
Jeff Merkley has the strongest record in the Oregon U.S. Senate race. Jeff Merkley scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of David Brock Smith at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Jeff Merkley's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. David Brock Smith's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Gary Dye (3 of 15 criteria) and Chris Henry (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Libertarian
Gary Dye
On the ballot as Gary Lyndon Dye
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Progressive
Chris Henry
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Jeff Merkley
73 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 60
- Qualifications
- 85
- Performance
- 75
Republican
David Brock Smith
63 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 58
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Gary Dye
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Chris Henry
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Jeff Merkley
- On the record2026-09
KTVZ listed him as not confirmed for its Oct. 6, 2026 Senate debate in Bend, which his Republican opponent accepted.
- On the record2025-03-14
Voted against cloture on the March 2025 full-year funding bill, H.R. 1968, which Minority Leader Schumer supported.
Source: GovTrack, Senate Vote 128, March 14, 2025 (H.R. 1968 cloture)
- On the record2024-04-23
Voted against final Senate passage of the national security supplemental, H.R. 815, one of three Democrats to do so; it passed 79 to 18.
Source: GovTrack, Senate Vote 154, April 23, 2024 (H.R. 815)
- On the record2021-01-06
Voted Nay on the January 2021 objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electors.
- Credit2026-01 to 2026-05
Held open in-person town halls statewide in 2026, including nine from Jan. 16 to 18 and Eastern Oregon stops in May.
Sources: KOIN via Yahoo News, Jan. 16, 2026, East Oregonian (Blue Mountain Eagle), May 8, 2026
- Credit2023 to 2024
The Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Exceeds Expectations for the 118th Congress; GovTrack counts 23 enacted bills he sponsored.
Sources: GovTrack, Jeff Merkley, Center for Effective Lawmaking, data download page
David Brock Smith
- Mark against2023-09 to 2025-12
The Oregon Elections Division assessed three late-filing penalties on his state committee, $52.33 and $102.09 in 2023 and $496.80 in 2025, all paid.
Source: Oregon Secretary of State, Campaign Finance Penalty Notices (data.oregon.gov)
- On the record2025
Introduced a 2025 bill asking voters whether to repeal Oregon's vote-by-mail law; the bill did not pass.
- On the record2024-04-01
In April 2024 his attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter threatening suit against a House candidate and a former radio host over claims tying him to the Chinese Communist Party.
- On the record2020-12
In December 2020 signed a letter urging Oregon's attorney general to join Texas's lawsuit over other states' 2020 results; he later said he had accepted President-elect Biden.
- Credit2023
Was one of three Senate Republicans who did not join the six-week 2023 Senate walkout, during which ten senators missed enough sessions to be barred from reelection.
- Credit2021
Sponsored a 2021 law, passed unanimously by the House, requiring the state Department of Energy to hold listening sessions on federal offshore wind siting off Oregon's coast.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no FEC administrative fine on Jeff Merkley for Oregon. No Senate Ethics Committee action found. Senate financial disclosures were not opened.
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00437277
David Brock Smith. Federal campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no FEC administrative fine. No ethics commission finding found. Three small Oregon late-filing penalties on his state committee are scored under criterion 10.
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00941559
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Was one of three Democrats to vote against final passage of the April 2024 national security supplemental, and voted against cloture on the March 2025 funding bill that Minority Leader Schumer voted for.
Sources: GovTrack, Senate Vote 154, April 23, 2024 (H.R. 815), GovTrack, Senate Vote 128, March 14, 2025 (H.R. 1968 cloture)
David Brock Smith. Was one of three Senate Republicans who did not join the 2023 Senate Republican walkout; a 2024 primary opponent's backers then targeted him. Has been described as working across the aisle in Salem.
Sources: OPB (Oregon Capital Chronicle), April 2, 2024, OPB (Oregon Capital Chronicle), March 4, 2026
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Holds regular open in-person town halls across Oregon, including nine in January 2026 and Eastern Oregon stops in May 2026. As of KTVZ's latest update he had not confirmed its Oct. 6 debate; no decline was reported.
Sources: KOIN via Yahoo News, Jan. 16, 2026, East Oregonian (Blue Mountain Eagle), May 8, 2026, KTVZ, debate schedule and candidate responses
David Brock Smith. Accepted KTVZ's invitation to the Oct. 6, 2026 U.S. Senate debate in Bend and has given broadcast interviews on his campaign.
Sources: KTVZ, debate schedule and candidate responses, KQEN News Radio, Sept. 23, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. State representative from 1999, House speaker from 2007 to 2009 and U.S. senator since 2009, with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jeff Merkley
David Brock Smith. City councilor, Curry County commissioner, state representative from 2017 and state senator since 2023, with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Sources: Wikipedia, David Brock Smith, Ballotpedia, David Brock Smith
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Voted Nay on the Jan. 6, 2021 objection to Arizona's electors and the Jan. 7, 2021 objection to Pennsylvania's electors. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Sources: GovTrack, Senate Vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate Vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
David Brock Smith. Has held sworn county and state office since 2013 with no misuse-of-office finding. In December 2020 he signed a letter urging Oregon's attorney general to join Texas's suit over other states' results; he later said he accepted the result.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Gary Dye. Career as a chemical and gas measurement engineer in the natural gas industry and a process engineer in oil refineries. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Gary Dye
Chris Henry. Union truck driver and former UAW aircraft mechanic who has served as a shop steward and union organizer and on the boards of the Oregon Consumer League and the Oregon Voter Rights Coalition. Has not held public office.
Source: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement
Jeff Merkley. U.S. senator since January 2009, now seeking a fourth term; earlier a state representative from 1999 to 2009 and House speaker from 2007 to 2009.
David Brock Smith. State representative from 2017 to 2023 (three terms) and state senator since 2023; earlier a Curry County commissioner and Port Orford city councilor.
Sources: Wikipedia, David Brock Smith, Ballotpedia, David Brock Smith
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. Publishes positions including Medicare for All, tripling the federal minimum wage, cutting military spending and a federal fund to prepare for a Cascadia earthquake, mostly in general terms.
Source: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement
Jeff Merkley. Ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee since January 2025. Published specific proposals, including a ban on congressional stock trading and a ban on hedge funds buying single-family homes.
Sources: Wikipedia, Jeff Merkley, Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement
David Brock Smith. Serves as a Senate Republican deputy leader and has been vice chair of several legislative committees. His published positions name goals on taxes, homelessness and data center costs, mostly in general terms.
Source: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Gary Dye. Answered Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in his 2024 campaign; has not completed the 2026 survey and filed no 2026 voters' pamphlet statement.
Source: Ballotpedia, Gary Dye
Chris Henry. Published a voters' pamphlet statement and campaign issue pages. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement, Chris Henry for U.S. Senate, Ballotpedia, Chris Henry
Jeff Merkley. Holds open town halls statewide, published a voters' pamphlet statement with specific positions and gives broadcast interviews. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement, KOIN via Yahoo News, Jan. 16, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jeff Merkley
David Brock Smith. Published a voters' pamphlet statement and campaign pages, gave a KOIN interview on his campaign and accepted a televised debate. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement, KOIN via AOL, Sept. 6, 2026, Ballotpedia, David Brock Smith
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Gary Dye. Born in Portland and attended David Douglas schools, per his survey answers. No FEC contribution data for 2025 to 2026.
Source: Ballotpedia, Gary Dye
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Born in Myrtle Creek and raised in Portland, a David Douglas High School graduate. About 70 percent of itemized individual contributions by state for 2025 to 2026 came from Oregon (FEC by-state totals).
Sources: Wikipedia, Jeff Merkley, Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Nov. 3, 2026, candidate statement
David Brock Smith. Born in Port Orford and a third-generation resident of Southwest Oregon. About 95 percent of itemized individual contributions by state through June 30, 2026 came from Oregon (FEC by-state totals).
Sources: Ballotpedia, David Brock Smith, OPB (Oregon Capital Chronicle), March 4, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00437277
David Brock Smith. The Oregon Elections Division assessed three late-filing penalties on his state committee: $52.33 and $102.09 in 2023 and $496.80 in December 2025, all paid. No FEC administrative fine on his federal committee.
Sources: Oregon Secretary of State, Campaign Finance Penalty Notices (data.oregon.gov), FEC administrative fines search, committee C00941559
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Center for Effective Lawmaking rates him Exceeds Expectations for the 118th Congress (LES 2.0 of 1.915 against a benchmark of 0.912). GovTrack counts 23 enacted bills he sponsored.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking Senate dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress (Merkley OR row, 118th), Center for Effective Lawmaking, data download page, GovTrack, Jeff Merkley
David Brock Smith. Sponsored a 2021 law, passed unanimously in the House, requiring the state Department of Energy to hold listening sessions on federal offshore wind siting off the coast.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Missed 101 of 6,203 roll call votes, 1.6 percent, from January 2009 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
David Brock Smith. Kept attending during the six-week 2023 Senate walkout joined by all other Senate Republicans except two; ten senators who missed more than 10 floor sessions were barred from reelection.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Holds open town halls across the state each year, documented in January 2026 in the Portland area and in May 2026 in Grant County. No published casework totals found; the Senate office site returned 403.
Sources: KOIN via Yahoo News, Jan. 16, 2026, East Oregonian (Blue Mountain Eagle), May 8, 2026
David Brock Smith. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -0.63218 for 2023, the latest posted Senate scores, ranked 68 of 98 senators scored.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, 2023 Senate scores
David Brock Smith. Member of the bipartisan Sportsmen's and Coastal caucuses and described as working across the aisle; his 2021 offshore wind law passed the House unanimously.
Sources: OPB (Oregon Capital Chronicle), March 4, 2026, OPB (Oregon Capital Chronicle), April 2, 2024
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Gary Dye. No public record found.
Chris Henry. No public record found.
Jeff Merkley. No public record found.
David Brock Smith. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Oregon U.S. Senate race?
Jeff Merkley has the strongest record in the Oregon U.S. Senate race. Jeff Merkley scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of David Brock Smith at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Jeff Merkley's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. David Brock Smith's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Gary Dye (3 of 15 criteria) and Chris Henry (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Oregon U.S. Senate race in 2026?
Gary Dye (Libertarian), Chris Henry (Progressive), Jeff Merkley (Democratic, incumbent), David Brock Smith (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Gary Dye a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Gary Dye has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Chris Henry a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Chris Henry has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jeff Merkley a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Jeff Merkley scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 60 of 100, qualifications 85 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is David Brock Smith a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
David Brock Smith scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 58 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Oregon race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Oregon 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.