Recent polls have shown Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley within striking distance of knocking off incumbent Senator Gordon Smith.

Such an outcome would pair Merkley with Democratic Senator Ron Wyden in Washington, D.C.

It would be the first time in more than a decade that Oregon's two senators are from the same party.

Republicans Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood represented Oregon for 27 years in the Senate before Packwood resigned from office in 1995 and Hatfield retired the following year.

On the final full day of campaigning, Smith and Merkley offered Oregon voters competing messages about whether having both senators from one party would be a good thing.

Smith said it's important to keep him in the Senate to help preserve a balanced government in the event that Democrat Barack Obama wins the presidency and Democrats increase their numbers in the Senate.

Merkley, on the other hand, said people are excited about his candidacy because they know he would be part of a new crop of Democrats helping Obama implement his programs and change the direction of the country.