U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith will kick off his statewide bus tour to meet with voters at 6 tonight in North Bend.

Smith will be at Coos County Republican Headquarters at the Pony Village Mall, 1611 Newmark Ave.

Smith, a Pendleton Republican, is battling Democrat Jeff Merkley in a bid to retain his seat.

After his campaign in North Bend, Smith plans to travel to Reedsport to hold an election rally at 7:45 p.m. at Bedrock’s Pizzeria, 2165 Winchester Ave.