Smith admits to overstating in-state travel

Sen. Gordon Smith’s (R-Ore.) campaign said Monday that he incorrectly claimed to have visited every county in the state once a year as a senator. 

{mosads}The Democratic Party of Oregon called Smith on the claim Monday, and Smith’s campaign admitted the senator’s mistake soon after. Smith is being challenged by state House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) in one of the top races in the country.

Smith said at a press conference last week: “Mr. Merkley is challenging me to go to all of Oregon’s counties once a year. Well, I do that.”

When the Democratic Party of Oregon asked to see Smith’s Senate schedules to verify the claim, Smith’s campaign admitted the senator was wrong.

“Sen. Smith incorrectly stated being in every county every year, but more important than being a visitor to rural Oregon every year, Smith has been its voice and its vote every year,” spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride said. “No matter how often Jeff Merkley visits rural Oregon, he has already proven he will never be its voice or vote.”

Oregon Democratic Party Chairwoman Meredith Wood said: “The closer we get to Election Day, the more Gordon Smith exaggerates.”