Oregon Public Broadcasting

Can’t get enough political debates? Washington and Oregon voters will get the chance to see contenders for top offices in action tonight.  Two major debates will be televised.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and Republican challenger Dino Rossi are duking it out in Spokane.  It’s their fourth debate. A fifth and final is set for next week in Seattle. 

In Oregon, it’s the first debate in the state’s increasingly nasty Senate race.  Incumbent Republican Gordon Smith and Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley will take questions during an hour-long debate on a Portland television station. 

The race is a virtual dead heat according to several recent polls.  Nationally, Democrats  see it as one of their best chances to pick up a Senate seat held by a Republican. 

Tonight’s debate is one of just two joint appearances scheduled for Smith and Merkley.  The second is another televised debate next Monday evening in Medford.