Oregon Public Broadcasting

Both sides in Oregon’s contested race for U.S. Senator are playing the Ron Wyden card.  Oregon’s senior Senator is appearing in a new ad in support of fellow Democrat Jeff Merkley. Republican incumbent Gordon Smith is using his Democratic colleague too.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman has more.

By all accounts, Wyden enjoys a good working relationship with Smith, despite their political differences.  In fact, the two Senators have made a habit of not criticizing each other directly.

Nevertheless Wyden taped a commercial for Merkley, who’s locked in a fierce battle for Smith’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Here, Wyden envisions a future working relationship with Merkley.

Wyden voiceover in ad:  “Jeff and I will work hard to put the economy back on track, end the billions in subsidies for oil companies, stand up for our veterans....”

Wyden hasn’t made his support of Merkley a secret, but this is his most visible action yet in the race.

Wyden never mentions Smith by name in this ad.  But Smith responded with an ad of his own touting his working relationship with Wyden.

Smith’s ad uses archival tape of Wyden calling Smith “my friend and my partner”.