Decision 2026: WATCH – U.S. Senate Candidate David Brock Smith Participates in Town Hall

Editor's Note: This town hall aired at 6 pm on October 6, 2026 on KTVZ-TV

LIVE BLOG:

6:30 pm - Brock Smith's closing statement: Appreciates the opportunity to talk with viewers, doesn't have all the answers, but knows he cares about Oregon and Oregonians. He believes most Oregonians believe the state is going in the wrong direction, the Senate is in gridlock and not getting anything done for the country or Oregon. He works across the aisle for bipartisan efforts to solve problems. Added Oregonians deserve to be the most beloved and recognized as a beloved state, have great opportunities to be the best state in the nation for all aspects of life, but we need to solve a lot of problems to make that happen. Thanks Central Oregon, viewers, and KTVZ for opportunity.

6:28 pm - Spencer asked who Brock Smith models his political career after. Brock Smith said no one, though he admires President Kennedy, President Reagan, Wayne Krieger, and Mike McClain. Brock Smith added he models his life after his father - a 'good man' who served in military, created Rotary scholarship, and more.

6:24 pm - Spencer asked about immigration enforcement. Brock Smith said he does not support federal government using National Guard when it comes to immigration, but believes this issue stems from local police being overcome in Portland with 'riots for days' and said the state was not protecting its federal buildings and employees - federal intervention was warranted.

6:22 pm - Spencer asked about a woman's right to choose what happens with her body. Brock Smith said Republicans in Oregon have allowed abortion up to 16 weeks, 'up to when a child feels pain' - after would be allowed to protect the health of the mother or in cases of incest. Added he does not feel it's a campaign issue, though 'Democrats want to make it one', because it's a state issue - not a federal one. Noted federal ruling has already been made, but state legislative has made it clear even with a Republican governor, Oregon would not ban abortion.

6:18 pm - Spencer asked about affordable healthcare coverage. Brock Smith referenced Obama's 'unaffordable' healthcare, claimed Gov. Kotek is suppressing information on universal healthcare. Added he would provide opportunities to give businesses relief they need so they can provide care for employees, hold insurance companies accountable, put healthcare in into a market system where citizens can use their HSA to buy their own coverage, and said universal healthcare would be too costly.

6:16 pm - Spencer asked why Brock Smith wants to end vote-by-mail. Brock Smith said he does not want to end it, claimed there were people registered to vote who were illegal immigrants. Brock Smith added he wants to send the issue back to voters so they can re-affirm it's still what they want (vote-by-mail).

6:09 pm - Spencer asked about housing - what would Brock Smith like to see in Senate for affordability and supply. Brock Smith replied saying there is not really anything that can be done on the federal level, noted Bend's booming growth and beauty of Central Oregon. Referenced 'bureaucratic blue tape' stifling supply - developers have to put tens if not hundreds of thousands to build, wants to provide tax breaks to provide housing for workforce (125% or below area median income) structured in a way that does not negatively impact tax revenue.

6:03 pm - Spencer asked about cost of living and what he would want to do to fix it. Brock Smith replied referencing gas prices and that Oregon is one of the highest in country, meaning constituents in Southern Oregon have to drive farther and pay more. Brock Smith added costs in Oregon are higher for multiple reasons - referenced transportation costs, low-carbon fuel standards, 'hidden' tax in gas prices. Referenced Gov. Kotek and climate protection program, said if it continues, prices today will seem low in 10 years.

6:00 pm - State Senator David Brock Smith's opening statement: It's a privilege to speak to Oregonians and what brought him here. He grew up on the Oregon coast, his parents were high school sweethearts. He worked in the service industry at Shoji's. His father bought a restaurant in Port Orford, Brock Smith said he took over at 24 years old and was then elected Chamber president. He was elected to serve on county planning commission, school board, and was first person elected from north county in over 30 years. Brock Smith said he understands why Sen. Merkley doesn't want to debate him - he wouldn't want to either and he is very prepared.

6:00 pm - Moderator Lee Anderson notified viewers about KTVZ's request to have Senator Jeff Merkley join the debate and provided a soundbite from Spencer's recent interview in-studio with Sen. Merkley stating he would not debate a candidate who is not prepared for the role.

5:58 pm - The town hall has begun on FOX, KTVZ.com, the KTVZ News App and KTVZ+

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- KTVZ News will launch the station's debate series, The Central Oregon Debates, this week with a LIVE town hall featuring U.S. Senate candidate State Senator David Brock Smith.

State Senator David Brock Smith is scheduled to appear LIVE on Tuesday at 6:00 pm.

The forum will be moderated by Lee Anderson.

The questioning will be done by Spencer Sacks, KTVZ’s political reporter.

Viewers can tune in to the town hall this Tuesday at 6:00 pm on NBC or stream the event live via KTVZ.com, the KTVZ News App and KTVZ+.