WASHINGTON -- Oregon Senator Gordon Smith is skipping the Republican national convention.

AP

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

Smith's spokeswoman, Lindsay Gilbride, said Tuesday that Smith will campaign in Oregon during the convention over the Labor Day weekend.

"It's a rare week where the Senate will not be in session, and it's more beneficial for Senator Smith to focus on the campaign than spend time in Minneapolis," Gilbride said.

Smith is in a close race with Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, a Democrat.

At least two other Republican senators, Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and Wayne Allard of Colorado, also are skipping the GOP convention. Dole is in a tough re-election race, while Allard is retiring.

Republicans are to gather Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul, Minn., to nominate Arizona Sen. John McCain for president.

Gilbride said nothing should be inferred about Smith's support for McCain.

"Senator Smith 100 percent supports John McCain's candidacy for president and will take the opportunity of a week when the Senate is not in session to focus on his own campaign," she said.

Smith, who was elected in 1996, attended the 2000 and 2004 GOP conventions. He did not attend the 1996 convention, when he was locked in a tight battle with Democrat Tom Bruggere to win his first term.