Gordon Smith
| Gordon Smith | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| U.S. Senator from Oregon From: January 7, 1997 – January 3, 2009 | |||
| Predecessor | Mark O. Hatfield | ||
| Successor | Jeff Merkley | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Sharon Smith | ||
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | ||
Gordon Harold Smith (born May 25, 1952) is Oregon's Republican former United States Senator, who held the office from 1997 to 2009. He is the last Republican who has represented his liberal state in the Senate.
Political Views
Smith was the only Republican holding statewide office in the largely liberal state of Oregon. He is a member of the Moderate Republican Main Street Partnership. In December 2006, Smith spoke out against the War in Iraq for the first time, after having voted in support of it four years prior. Smith said that to continue the current policy in Iraq "may even be criminal." He was one of only two Republicans to vote for a resolution aimed at withdrawing most American combat troops from Iraq in 2008. On social issues he's known to be more of a conservative, like his predecessor, Mark O. Hatfield. Smith was given a 15% rating from the pro-abortion group NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. However, he does support embryonic stem cell research. He also voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment.
