Former Rep. Les AuCoin (D) has endorsed attorney Steve Novick in his bid to win the Senate Democratic nomination and oust Sen. Gordon Smith (R) next year.

State Speaker Jeff Merkley is Novick’s primary opponent and has the backing of most establishment Democrats. However, AuCoin believes Novick is the candidate most capable of beating Smith.

“Gordon Smith is a very talented traditional politician. To beat him, you need somebody different,” AuCoin said in a statement released by the Novick campaign. AuCoin, who served nine terms in Congress, currently lectures at Southern Oregon University in Ashland.

— David M. Drucker