World Photo by Jolene Guzman Sen. Gordon Smith heard only applause — not protest — at his visit to the Coos County Republicans’ Pony Village Mall suite Monday night. Local Democrats decided not to stage a protest at the rally, which kicked off Smith’s bus tour around the state. Smith has faced protesters at other campaign stops in Oregon in recent weeks, as his challenger, Democrat Jeff Merkley, works to gain votes.

NORTH BEND — Monday was a pleasant start to what could end up to be a less-than-cordial campaign tour for U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith.

The Pendleton Republican kicked off his bus tour of Oregon in North Bend Monday, on his route to campaign for re-election. Local Smith supporters said having the senator start a campaign tour on the South Coast was a first, but it may not be the only unusual thing about Smith’s appearance in North Bend.

The Republican incumbent gave a short speech. He emphasized his support for fishermen and for rural communities, something he said is not true of his opponent. He said keeping him in the U.S. Senate is an assurance that concerns of Oregon would have a voice — that between the himself and Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon has a strong team in its corner.

“We don’t always vote together, but we work together,” he said.

His statements were not met with counter claims or protest, only applause.

It was an easy start on what’s likely to be a bumpy road to election deadline Tuesday.

Anyone with a television most likely has seen the bruising ads Smith and his opponent, Democrat Jeff Merkley, have been tossing each other’s way this election season. Campaign appearances have proven to be similarly volatile. Smith’s staff has said Merkley supporters have followed Smith on the campaign trail to heckle him at public appearances.

While Smith’s campaign was planning rallies for Monday in North Bend and Reedsport, the other side was planning a protest.

But it didn’t work in Coos County.

“I’ll be honest. I was asked to do that,” said Matt Christensen, chairman of the Coos County Democrats, on Monday after Smith’s rally was over.

The Merkley campaign asked him to place protesters near the Republican senator’s rally, but Christensen said he didn’t want local Democrats to engage in confrontational campaigning.

He said when Democrats held rallies here, Republican supporters didn’t get in their faces. Christensen thought it was appropriate to return the favor.

That isn’t to say the county’s Democrats don’t support Merkley. They do. Christensen said he doesn’t believe the Smith campaign’s allegations Merkley doesn’t stand up for rural workers and communities. He said he’s seen Merkley support them firsthand.

He did say that having Smith visit the South Coast is an indicator of the contentiousness of the campaign.

“The race must be closer than I thought,” Christensen said.

Smith said he wasn’t sure what the outcome of the race would be either.

But it was that not-so-distant future, when the dust settles after this hard-fought campaign, Christensen was thinking of when he decided not to gather protesters.

“We all share this mall,” he said. “When this is all over we all have to work together.”