The Gordon Smith profile:

Gordon Smith

AGE: 56. Born in Pendleton on May 25, 1952.

PERSONAL: Married to Sharon Smith.

RELIGION: Mormon

PARTY: Republican

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Oregon Senate, 1992-96, Senate president 1994-96; U.S. Senate, 1997 to present.

EDUCATION: B.A., Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1976; J.D. Southwestern University, Los Angeles, 1979.

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE. Law clerk, New Mexico Supreme Court, 1979-80; attorney, 1980-81; president, Smith Frozen Foods, Weston, Ore., 1980-96.

FUN FACT: Smith is a cousin of Democratic Reps. Mark Udall of Colorado and Tom Udall of New Mexico. The Udall cousins are both running for U.S. Senate this year.