[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/06/art.smith.ap.jpg caption="Gordon Smith has conceded defeat."](CNN) - Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith has conceded defeat to Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley in his re-election bid, CNN has confirmed.
Smith personally called Merkley earlier Thursday to concede the race, according to Merkley spokeswoman Julie Edwards. Smith is also expected to publicly admit defeat in a press conference later Thursday.
Election Center: Check out the results in Oregon
With 100 percent of the counties reporting, Merkley received 48.4 percent of the vote to Smith's 46 percent.
Smith's defeat means Democrats now hold 57 seats in the Senate. The outcomes of three races remain unclear - Alaska, Minnesota, and Georgia.
Another one bites the dust...
Another one bites the dust! Saxby Chambliss next please!!!! I can't stand his arrogance,
YES! A new day is dawning. Now if only Stevens would do the same in Alaska.....
Why is Alaska up for grabs??? Stevens is a "convicted Felon" Does'nt Alaska take the right to vote from Felon's???? Was he casting his vote with that huge grin on his face pictured on CNN???
Gordon Smith didn't want a recount; there might have been some investigation into voter suppression and then not only would he have lost the race but been off to the pokey
congradulations mr. merkley,
Smith did an OK job for us here in Oregon. He just got swept away in a huge blue tidal wave.
It was a really nasty campaign and Smith was nastier. We are tired of that.
Smith said many times how he worked with the Democrats and I figured then why not just elect a Dem.
And the walls came tumblin' down, ohhhh,
the walls came tumblin' down.
Looks good that we (the American people) will finally get a responsive Congress.
CNN,
I owe you an apology. You made me a little frustrated with the rerporting and I came after you quite strong for my reasoning, but I must admit, you've covered the election better than your competitors and much more fairly than your competitors. That's probably why you've had the better ratings on the major event coverage. Any way, you may piss me off sometimes, but I'll stay loyal because these other Broadcasters are just so PHONY
Three more to go. Not likely but interesting.
I was raised in rural Oregon lumbertown. Glad to see my home state dump the Republican Senator.
57, 58, 59, OR 60, DNC: Get rid of the dangerously dangerous two faces Joe Liberman.
Hmmm...52% is a landslide for Obama, but a narrow victory for gay marriage opponents...
And does anyone else find it strange that CNN is selling t-shirts showing them calling the election for Obama on election night?
Media bias is still alive and well and will be until Obama throws them under the bus.
Congratulations Sen. Merkley – do your job for the good folks of Oregon.
Finally! So long Gordon. Hopefully Merkley will work for his constituents rather than his party.
Dumbf-kistan shrinks by the minute!
...and another one gone, and another one gone...
Bye gordon. All the negative ads that you and the republican party could think of didn't fool the voters.
On the road to 60.
I was worried that Smith was going to get re-elected because Merkley wasn't that great a challenger and, despite evidence to the contrary, Smith had a reputation of bipartisanship. But we pulled it out! Hoorah!
Wow, there are a lot of bitter Obama supporters on the LNN (Liberal News Network). Such bitterness and hatred is not healthy. Hopefully, my fellow Republicans will treat PEBO with respect. Yes, he ran a dirty campaign (inferring that Republicans are racists, flipping HRC the bird, flipping Senator McCain the bird), bringing with him the slummy world of Chicago politics. I'm still proud of my president, George W. Bush. He's reached across the aisle like virtually no other president has done. He's been sacrificed by Demos and Repubs alike. President Bush is a great, great man and I am extremely proud to have lived under his presidency. Roberts/Alito will be his long-standing legacy.
GOOD RIDDENS NEXT, TO HELL WITH ALL YOU REPUBLICANS I CAN'T STAND ANY OF THEM.
The end of the Republicans! Thanks Mr. Bush! See ya!
sweet. go jeff
Another one gone!! Dems are sweeping the House
I am so glad to hear this!!
my family lives in the same town as Gordo and he has practically bankrupted their little town......
no money for Fire/police departments no money for normal running sources, but he lives around them in his 12 million dollar home, that he invites dignitaries to so he doesn't have to pay any taxes on his property..... which if he did could probably fund the police/fire department totally.
Bye Bye Gordo
Now maybe things will get done here in Oregon!!!