Oregon Public Broadcasting

Pendleton Republican Gordon Smith Friday proposed three Senate debates with his campaign opponent, Democratic Speaker Jeff Merkley.

Merkley had previous proposed six debates between the two candidates. Ethan Lindsey reports.

The two sides have officially agreed to one debate - sponsored by Portland TV station KGW on September 9th.

Merkley's campaign says a Medford debate has also been agreed to - in principle - but that there are a few disagreements over details, including who the moderators are.

Meanwhile, the back-and-forth over office furniture continues as well.

Smith accuses Merkley of approving expensive furniture for the state Capitol. Merkley argues that Smith's office actually signed off on the plan.

At a stop in Prineville, Smith said his state director, Kerry Tymchuk, had agreed to capital renovations, but...

Gordon Smith: “Kerry said nothing about the furniture. What Kerry's comments were, were in relation to the need to fix the pipes, put in new conduits. It had nothing to do with the extravagance of Italian leather couches.”

Merkley's campaign responded by insisting the aide played a “very important role in moving the process forward” including the approval of leather couches.