Oregon race could spell end of Schumer streak

But apparently, Schumer forgot to inform the state's voters.

Days before votes are counted in the Oregon primary, Schumer's choice -Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley -is in a tight battle with Portland lawyer and activist Steve Novick. Polls show the race is too close to call.

If Novick pulls off the upset, it could be a rare loss for Schumer, who acquired a reputation as a recruitment kingmaker after steering Democrats back to majority control of the Senate in 2006. This year, Schumer is working to expand that majority, with some Democrats even hoping for a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

The DSCC is working overtime to make sure Merkley ekes out a win. Schumer, who recruited Merkley after two Democrats in the state's congressional delegation declined to run, has sent fundraising appeals on Merkley's behalf, and the DSCC has spent nearly $300,000 on TV ads boosting Merkley.

All that effort has left Novick puzzled.

"Why they think Merkley can beat Gordon Smith if they have to prop him up to beat me is beyond me," Novick said.

Schumer, who typically makes himself available to reporters, declined to comment for this story.

But Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the DSCC, said the committee's efforts can be over-interpreted. While the DSCC has spent money defending Merkley, it has not attacked Novick, he said.

"The ads we are running respond to Gordon Smith's attacks" on Merkley, Miller said. "We came into this race after Smith came in."