Oregon Public Broadcasting

Polls show a tight U.S. Senate race between Democratic Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley and incumbent Republican Gordon Smith.

Now, new financial disclosure forms show national Democrats already spent close to $400,000 for Merkley in his primary battle.

In fact, the Washington-based Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee paid for nearly all of Merkley's election expenses in the weeks before the May 20th primary.

That's much more than previously thought, and includes everything from paychecks to garbage bills.

Merkley spokesman Matt Canter says that support will continue all the way until November.

Canter says the campaign is in touch with national Democrats, but declined to comment on specifics.

Matt Canter: “This is absolutely one of the most competitive races in the country and we will have the resources we need as we get closer to the election.”

Democrats in Oregon remain worried because Senator Smith has already raised $8 million for the election, far more than Merkley.

And some say a similar cash advantage for Smith in 2002 helped him defeat Bill Bradbury, now the Secretary of State.

Smith is already bankrolling TV ads touting his bipartisanship.