In 1996, then-U.S. Rep. Ron Wyden had a tough race ahead of him. He challenged Republican Gordon Smith, at the time state Senate President, in a special election for a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. The winner would replace former senator Bob Packwood, who resigned under controversy months prior. Find a link to the full story in our bio. Photo by Andrew Harnik / Associated Press #Oregon #oregonsenate #RonWyden