John Frohmayer

A new poll shows state House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) trailing U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) in his bid for U.S. senate.

The survey, conducted by Rasmussen Reports, shows Smith ahead of Merkley 47 percent to 38 percent. Eight percent of respondents chose “other” and 7 percent said they were “not sure.”

An article published by CQ Politics on Friday called Oregon's U.S. Senate race "now head-to-head."

John Frohmayer, who was running as the Independent Party of Oregon's candidate to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton), ended his campaign last week. This leaves state House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D- Portland), Smith's lone opposition.

According to the article: "What is now unclear is the effect Frohnmayer's exit will have on the race, which CQ Politics currently rates as Leans Republican but deems highly competitive."

John Frohmayer, who was running as the Independent Party of Oregon’s candidate to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton), ended his bid today. In an interview with PolitickerOR.com, Frohmayer said he ran “because I believe there needs to be a third voice” in America. He said he wanted to move from politics of “beating up on each other to politics of remedy.”

Frohmayer said that he dropped out because of the “feeling that the independents in Oregon were not organizable at this point.” In addition, he said “fundraising was extremely difficult.”