Democrats think they have a chance this year to unseat the sole GOP senator on the West Coast. But first voters have to choose a challenger: the state House speaker or an activist who spoofs the fact that he has a metal hook for a hand.

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday's primary, Democrats have leveled a steady stream of attacks on Sen. Gordon Smith, trying to tie him to George Bush's unpopular presidency. Smith is the only Republican holding statewide office in Oregon, a state that has voted more Democratic in recent elections.

Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley is the establishment candidate. He was recruited by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to run against Smith, who has pledged to raise $10 million or more for his re-election.

The other Democratic contender is Steve Novick, a fiery political activist who has gained lots of traction with lighthearted campaign videos that poke fun at the prosthesis he uses for a left hand _ the result of birth defects.

In the Senate race, Merkley was viewed as an early frontrunner because of his fundraising edge and endorsements from key Democrats and labor groups. But recent polls suggest Novick has made it a tight race that could go either way in Tuesday's primary.

An equally close _ and increasingly testy _ congressional contest is shaping up in Oregon's 5th District, where Democratic Rep. Darlene Hooley's surprise retirement set the stage for one of the most competitive House races in the country.

The Republican contest took a nasty turn this past week when candidate Kevin Mannix, a former lawmaker and state GOP chairman, alleged that his opponent got a girlfriend pregnant, then paid for her abortion.

Mike Erickson, a wealthy businessman, denied the allegation, calling it a desperate campaign attack by Mannix.

Running on the Democratic side are state Sen. Kurt Schrader, chairman of the Legislature's budget-writing committee, and Steve Marks, a longtime top adviser to former Gov. John Kitzhaber.

The Senate race has drawn the greatest attention from national Democratic leaders, who have made it a top priority to defeat Smith, a Republican moderate.

With his record of legislative accomplishments, Merkley believes he is the most capable of beating Smith in the fall.

"I have experience of bringing people together and working on behalf of our families and our children," Merkley said.

Some critics have said Merkley has waged an unimaginative, cookie-cutter campaign. Continued...