Oregon Senate Race 2026

Compare candidates running in this Oregon federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Paul Damian Wells

Party: Democrat

Tim Skelton

Party: Republican

Russell McAlmond

Party: Republican

Jo Rae Perkins

Party: Republican

David Brock Smith

Party: Republican

Jeff Merkley

Party: Democrat

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Oregon Senate Race

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 6, 2026
📊Polling
No general election polling available. Primary scheduled May 19, 2026; general election November 3, 2026. Merkley expected to easily win primary and general election.
safe d— other

Oregon is a strongly Democratic state that has not elected a Republican senator since 2002. While the race will not affect overall Senate control, it determines whether Democrats maintain this secure seat.

Paul Damian WellsD
Tim SkeltonR
Russell McAlmondR
Jo Rae PerkinsR
David Brock SmithR
Jeff MerkleyD

Summary

Paul Damian Wells is a retired electrical engineer and machinist from Corvallis, Oregon. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps starting in 1978. Wells earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University (1984) and a graduate degree in electrical engineering from Portland State University. He previously worked as a design engineer and CNC machinist before retirement. Wells is a frequent Democratic primary candidate who ran for Oregon Secretary of State in 2024, losing in the Democratic primary.

Tim Skelton is a BBQ restaurant owner and Scoutmaster from Sandy, Oregon. He is running as a political outsider, positioning himself against career politicians after 17+ years of Merkley and 30+ years of Wyden in Oregon's Senate seats. Skelton emphasizes community service through Scouting and describes himself as not a 'D.C. insider or career politician.' He stresses job creation (15,000 jobs), safer schools, and forest reform to protect Oregon's timber resources.

Russell McAlmond is a financial planner and U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Grants Pass in Josephine County, Southern Oregon. He is founder of the Center for Human Equality. According to his campaign materials, he brings a business background in financial planning and a military service record to his Senate campaign. He began his campaign in 2025 and has been actively fundraising and building grassroots support. McAlmond represents a focus on individual rights and human equality principles, distinguishing his platform from other Republican candidates.

Jo Rae Perkins is a perennial Republican candidate who has run for federal office multiple times: U.S. Senate in 2014, 2020, and 2022; U.S. House in 2016 and 2018. She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and has lived in Albany, Oregon since 1975. Perkins is a semi-retired insurance agent with professional background in real estate, personal banking, financial advising, and insurance. She earned an associate degree in business management from Linn-Benton Community College (1978) and a bachelor's degree in political science from Oregon State University (2013). She served as chair of the Linn County Republican Party. Perkins is married to George, a carpet installation contractor, and has two children and 11 grandchildren. She finished second in the 2020 U.S. Senate general election with 39% of the vote and lost again in 2022 with 41% of the vote.

David Brock Smith is a Republican state senator representing Oregon's 1st district (Coast-based area including Curry, Coos, Jackson, and Douglas counties) since January 2023, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He is a third-generation resident of Southwest Oregon and Port Orford native. Smith spent 45 years as a restaurateur running his family business. He previously served in the Oregon House of Representatives for about six years (2017-2023) and held local government positions including Port Orford City Council president, Chamber of Commerce president, Curry County Commissioner, and Port Orford-Langlois School Board member. Smith earned an associate degree from Southwestern Oregon Community College and Southern Oregon University, with career experience in the culinary industry.

Jeff Merkley was born in Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1956 and has represented the state in the U.S. Senate since 2009. He earned a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.P.A. from Princeton University. Before joining the Senate, he served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1999-2008, including as Speaker during the final two years. Merkley defeated two-term Republican incumbent Gordon Smith in 2008 and has been re-elected twice, in 2014 and 2020, establishing himself as a leading progressive voice. He currently serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (senior member), and Senate Banking Committee.

Campaign Promises

Justice
  • Support for ranked choice voting
  • Independent voter inclusion
Economy
  • Create 15,000 jobs
Education
  • Safer schools and better public safety
Environment
  • Forest reform protecting $1 billion in timber
Other
  • Zero-cost Oregon Matters Plan
Justice
  • Judging people as unique individuals rather than group identities
Economy
  • Fiscal responsibility and small government
Other
  • Support women's sports and fair competition
Other
  • Only vote yes on 100% Constitutional bills
  • Constitutional restoration and limited government
Justice
  • Election integrity and voter security
Economy
  • Make everyday life more affordable for working families
Justice
  • Restore safety to streets and address addiction/homelessness with accountability
Other
  • Ensure every Oregonian's voice is heard and respected in Washington
  • Put Oregon First with leadership rooted in service
Other
  • Stop Trump's authoritarian state
Economy
  • Build four foundations for thriving families
Environment
  • Corporate accountability and environmental protection

Key Issue Positions

Voting system reform
Ranked choice voting and independent voter access
Runs repeatedly in Democratic primaries partly to protest exclusion of independent voters, claiming over 43% of Oregon voters are not affiliated with major parties. Advocates for ranked choice voting to prevent split-vote scenarios.
Economic revitalization and job creation
Create jobs through unspecified means, emphasizing rural economic development
Campaign focuses on 15,000 job creation but limited specific policy details available.
Federal waste and efficiency
Cut federal waste to fund priorities
Claims to have 'detailed, zero-cost Oregon Matters Plan funded entirely by cutting federal waste.'
National security
Emphasis on community service and national security
Campaign stresses community service record through Scouting and commitment to national security.
Individual rights and human equality
Judging all people as unique individuals with equal respect
McAlmond's campaign emphasizes individual human worth and opposition to group-based identity judgments. Founded Center for Human Equality based on this principle. Explicitly opposes racism and antisemitism.
Women's sports and transgender inclusion
Oppose transgender women in women's sports
Strongly opposes allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports, arguing it disadvantages female athletes. Contrasts his position with Jeff Merkley's support for transgender women's sports participation.
Fiscal policy and government size
Small government and fiscal restraint
Emphasizes conservative approach to spending and government scope, though limited detailed policy positions available.
Federal government scope
Reduce federal government dramatically; eliminate departments
Perkins advocates for minimal federal government role, stating 'I don't need the U.S. Forest Service on our land. It is unconstitutional.' Supports zero-based budgeting in federal executive departments and wants to ensure Americans can keep all rights outlined in Constitution.
Election integrity
Election security and voter integrity measures
Questions mail-in ballot safeguards, advocates for voter ID requirements and clean voter rolls. Raised concerns about urban turnout anomalies in 2020 election aftermath.
Economic policy
Tax reform and privatization
Supports replacing federal income taxes with federal consumption taxes, privatizing Medicare and Social Security, repealing the Affordable Care Act, and abolishing the Federal Reserve.
Immigration
Border security with conditional legal status
Supports accepting permanent residency for undocumented immigrants contingent on securing the Mexico-U.S. border, and advocates for the DREAM Act.
Rural economic development and forestry
Support for sustainable forest management and job creation in rural areas
Smith emphasizes rural representation and economic development priorities, including forestry issues and federal land management. He has pushed for forest thinning and prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risks.
Bipartisan problem-solving
Opposes partisan gridlock and negative campaigning
Campaign message emphasizes finding common ground over partisan conflict. Says negative campaigning doesn't help solve problems but only creates noise.
Climate policy
Skeptical of human-caused climate change
Smith has claimed that human actions don't contribute to climate change despite widespread scientific consensus. However, championed House Bill 3375 researching offshore wind energy potential, though he claims it was misrepresented.
Corporate power and campaign finance
Supports restrictions on corporate political spending
Merkley has been critical of Citizens United v. FEC and advocates for increased transparency in campaign financing and limits on independent political spending by corporations.
Financial regulation
Wall Street reform and consumer protection
As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Merkley became a leading force in passing Wall Street reform. He successfully added the Volcker Rule amendment (with Michigan Senator Carl Levin), which banned high-risk trading inside commercial banking institutions. He also championed an amendment banning liar loans.
Climate and environment
Strong climate action advocate
Environmental protection is a core priority with focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate disasters.
Immigration
Opposes strict enforcement measures
Has vocally opposed Trump administration immigration policies, including attempted separation of families at the border. In 2018, he attempted to enter a detention facility in Brownsville, Texas where children separated from parents were being held.
Middle East and arms sales
Skeptical of certain military aid and arms sales
In 2023, was one of three senators calling for a ceasefire during Gaza war. Voted against certain U.S. arms sales to Israel.

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

2020 campaign funds raised
$25,000+Mixed sources
Between entering 2020 race and March 2020, raised over $25,000; many donations through WinRed (Republican fundraising platform)
Mike Huckabee PAC
$5,000Individual PAC
Endorsement and donation from former Arkansas governor's political action committee
2022 campaign funds raised
$92,000Mixed sources
Raised $38,800 by June 2022, $92,000 by campaign conclusion
State Senate campaign cash reserves
$50,000+Campaign account
As of early 2026, Smith had more than $50,000 in cash on hand from state senate campaign
Large Individual Contributions
50.53% of total raisedIndividual
Primary funding source for Merkley's campaign
Small Individual Contributions (<$200)
36.22% of total raisedSmall Donor
Grassroots donor base
PAC Contributions
6.78% of total raisedIndustry PAC
Despite campaign messaging against corporate PACs
League of Conservation Voters
$54,344Organization PAC
Environmental advocacy group
Climate Champions PAC (Leadership PAC)
Leadership PAC
Merkley's own leadership PAC

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

Claim: McAlmond emphasizes individual human equality and opposes all group-based discrimination
Contradiction: His position on transgender women in sports uses biological gender categories as basis for exclusion, which critics might argue involves group identity judgment
Source: Ballotpedia candidate profile on women's sports issue
Claim: Perkins initially attempted to distance herself from QAnon after winning 2020 primary, saying media was spinning her words out of context
Contradiction: Her social media shows 60+ posts supporting QAnon or referencing it since November 2019, with consistent engagement with QAnon content, hashtags, and videos throughout her campaigns
Source: Willamette Week analysis of Perkins' social media; OPB interview; Wikipedia documentation
Claim: Perkins said she does not 'believe in QAnon' and only appreciates free speech voices
Contradiction: She publicly stated she stands with 'Q and the team,' took a 'digital soldier oath' inspired by QAnon promoter Michael Flynn, expressed happiness about having another QAnon-supporting candidate (Marjorie Taylor Greene), and attended January 6 Capitol protest
Source: OPB interview (May 2020); CNN reporting (August 2020); Willamette Week analysis; Wikipedia documentation
Claim: Claimed COVID-19 was a fake virus and expressed skepticism about mask science
Contradiction: This contradicts scientific consensus and public health expert guidance during the pandemic; claimed on QAnon platform that COVID was 'a form of the flu'
Source: Willamette Week reporting on Perkins' IntheMatrixxx podcast appearance (May 2020)
Claim: Smith emphasizes finding common ground and bipartisan solutions in his campaign messaging
Contradiction: His opponents and critics point to his skepticism about human-caused climate change and misrepresentation controversy around HB 3375 as evidence of inflexibility on key issues
Source: OPB reporting on Brock Smith's climate positions and HB 3375 controversy
Claim: Smith claims HB 3375 slowed federal efforts for offshore wind leases and was passed unanimously for good reason
Contradiction: Opponents in his 2024 state senate race argued the bill was proof he supports offshore wind turbines, fueling misinformation about his policy positions despite his denials
Source: Oregon Capital Chronicle reporting on 2024 state senate race
Claim: Campaign emphasizes fighting corporate influence while receiving contributions that include PAC donations
Contradiction: While campaign website states 'corporate PACs not allowed,' OpenSecrets data shows PAC contributions comprise 6.78% of fundraising as of December 2024.
Source: jeffmerkley.com vs OpenSecrets analysis of FEC filings
Claim: Has held Senate position for 17+ years focusing on working families and corporate accountability
Contradiction: Republican challenger Tim Skelton argues families are still waiting for real results after 17+ years of Merkley and 30+ years of Ron Wyden.
Source: Opponent claims in 2026 campaign coverage

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

Jeff Merkley campaign and Democratic establishment

Skelton's claims about federal waste cuts and job creation lack detailed policy substance

Skelton's 'detailed Oregon Matters Plan' mentioned in campaign statements but specifics not publicly detailed

Jeff Merkley campaign

McAlmond's opposition to transgender rights in sports contradicts progressive values on equality and individual rights

Merkley campaign highlights his support for transgender participation in sports as part of broader civil rights agenda

Democratic opponents and media organizations

Perkins' embrace of QAnon conspiracy theories makes her unfit for office and represents extremism within Republican Party

National Republican Party leaders and publications like National Review have urged her to be 'shunned and repudiated' for elevating QAnon rhetoric; FBI identifies QAnon as domestic terrorist threat

Jeff Merkley's 2020 campaign

Perkins represents fringe extremism incompatible with Oregon values

Merkley won 2020 general election with 57% to Perkins' 39%, with strong support in urban and suburban areas

Environmental advocates and coastal residents

Smith's climate change skepticism contradicts scientific consensus and his offshore wind bill created confusion about his true policy positions

2024 state senate race saw opponents claim Smith supported offshore wind installation, which he disputes

Tim Skelton (Republican candidate)

After 17+ years of Jeff Merkley and almost 30+ years of Ron Wyden in the Senate, Oregon families are still waiting for real results. Career politicians have had their chance.

Skelton argues for new leadership and claims to offer a 'zero-cost Oregon Matters Plan funded entirely by cutting federal waste.'

Republican challengers generally

Merkley opposes measures addressing immigration enforcement like the Laken Riley Act, prioritizing progressive values over border security.

Republicans cite this opposition as evidence of vulnerability on border security issues, arguing national trends favor challengers on immigration and the economy.

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

No endorsements listed.

No endorsements listed.

Oregon Firearms Federation PACorganization
Bipartisan Oregon Legislative Sportsmen's Caucusorganization
Bipartisan Coastal Caucusorganization
Oregon AFL-CIOorganization
League of Conservation Votersorganization
End Citizens Unitedorganization
Joint Action Committee for Political Affairsorganization
Peace Actionorganization
Population Connectionorganization
View Paul Damian Wells's Full Profile →View Tim Skelton's Full Profile →View Russell McAlmond's Full Profile →View Jo Rae Perkins's Full Profile →View David Brock Smith's Full Profile →View Jeff Merkley's Full Profile →