1996Final results
1996 election for U.S. Senate in Oregon
U.S. Senate · Oregon
Gordon Smith (R) won with 49.8% of the vote, defeating Tom Bruggere (D) by 3.9 points.
Gordon SmithRepublican · winner
49.8%677,336
Tom BruggereDemocrat
45.9%624,370
Brent ThompsonReform
1.5%20,381
Gary KutcherGreen
1.0%14,193
Paul (stormy) MohnLibertarian
0.9%12,697
Christopher PhelpsSocialist
0.4%5,426
Michael L. HoyesNatural Law
0.3%4,425
1,360,230 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1996
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Tom BruggereGordon Smith
$3.3M
Raised by the campaign
$9.4M
$3.3M
Spent by the campaign
$9.3M
$20.3K
Cash on hand
$77K
Campaign money: FEC, through Nov 25, 1996; FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Gordon Smith (R)Tom Bruggere (D)
Also on the ballot: Brent Thompson (Reform), 1.5%; Gary Kutcher (Green), 1.0%; Paul (stormy) Mohn (Libertarian), 0.9%; Christopher Phelps (Socialist), 0.4%; Michael L. Hoyes (Natural Law), 0.3%