Close Ore. Senate race called for Democrat

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., was defeated in his re-election battle with Democrat Jeff Markey, the (Portland) Oregonian projected Wednesday evening.

The margin of victory was razor-thin as both candidates pulled in 47 percent of the vote and Dave Brownlow of the Constitution Party of Oregon received 5 percent.

The votes amounted to 87 percent of the ballots cast. The newspaper said that while Smith captured most of Oregon's counties, Markey won easily in Multnomah County where Portland is located.

If the results hold up, it would spell the end of Smith's 12-year career in the U.S. Senate and turn the seat over to Markey, the speaker of the Oregon House.

Smith, who was endorsed by The Oregonian but usually trailed Markey in the pre-election polls, said earlier he would not concede until all of the votes were counted.