Republican · Oregon Senate · 2026
David Smith
Smith grew up working in the Port & Starboard, the Port Orford restaurant his grandfather built after retiring from logging.
Biography
David Brock Smith's family history runs through Port Orford's Port & Starboard restaurant, built in 1970 by his grandfather, retired logger Lester Smith.1 His father, Frank, purchased it after a 27 year Navy career.1 Smith worked there growing up, later returning from culinary work in the Rogue Valley to take over the family business.1
His public service began locally, with roles on a chamber of commerce, school board, city council and county commission.1 He served in the Oregon House from 2017 until 2023, when he moved to the state Senate.2 He represents a coastal district including Curry County and parts of Coos and Douglas counties.3
Smith is a deputy Republican leader and vice chairman of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.3 His budget assignments include public safety and natural resources, and he has helped convene the Maritime Workforce Development Task Force.3 His other service includes the governor's opioid task force and regional wildfire and disaster preparedness work.3
His Senate campaign prioritizes affordability, homelessness and addiction, and more active forest management.2 He proposes a national carbon market rewarding states for carbon stored in forests, agricultural lands and wetlands.2 He faces Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley on November 3, seeking to replace a longtime incumbent and bring a Republican voice to this Senate seat.2