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David Brock Smith

Republican candidate for US Senator, Oregon · Challenger

Oregon state senator (District 1) and restaurant owner

David Brock Smith, a Republican from Port Orford, has served in the Oregon Senate for District 1 since 2023. Before that, he served in the Oregon House from 2017 to 2023. He won the May 2026 Republican primary for U.S. Senate with 29.5% of the vote and faces incumbent Democrat Jeff Merkley, Libertarian Gary Lyndon Dye and Progressive Chris Henry on November 3, 2026.

Where Smith stands

Cost of living / energy prices: Says Oregon gas prices are among the highest in the country. He links this to transportation costs, the low-carbon fuel standard and the state's Climate Protection Program, and opposes continuing that program.
Housing: Proposes tax breaks for building workforce housing (125% of area median income or below), structured so they do not reduce tax revenue. Supports cutting regulatory barriers to new supply.
Health care: Opposes universal health care, saying it would cost too much. Proposes relief for businesses that provide employee coverage, holding insurers accountable, and a market system where people can buy coverage with HSAs.
Abortion: Says abortion is a state issue, not a federal one. He described Oregon Republicans' position as allowing abortion up to 16 weeks, with later exceptions for the mother's health and incest.
Immigration enforcement: Says he does not support the federal government using the National Guard for immigration enforcement. He argues federal intervention in Portland was warranted to protect federal buildings and employees.
Elections / vote-by-mail: Says he does not want to end vote-by-mail but wants to send it back to voters to re-affirm it. He also says noncitizens have been registered to vote.
Hunting, fishing and farming rights: In August 2026, joined GOP leaders in proposing a constitutional amendment to guarantee hunting, fishing and farming rights.

Background

Oregon State Senator, District 1 (2023–present)
Oregon State Representative, District 1 (2017–2023)
Former Curry County commissioner
Took over his family's restaurant in Port Orford at age 24; former chamber of commerce president
Former member of the county planning commission and the school board
Won the 2026 Republican primary for U.S. Senate with 29.5% of the vote

In the news

2 challenge Oregon's longtime US Sen. Jeff Merkley in November election Yahoo News, October 15, 2026
Decision 2026: WATCH – U.S. Senate Candidate David Brock Smith Participates in Town Hall KTVZ, October 6, 2026
Brock Smith accepts October 6th U.S. Senate debate invitation in Bend The News-Review (nrtoday.com), September 23, 2026

Also running for US Senator

Jeff Merkley Democrat, Working Families
Gary Lyndon Dye Libertarian
Chris Henry Progressive, Pacific Green

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.