Brett
Smith

Reuters reported that Smith had not reported campaign contributions or spending as of Oct. 11. Oregon's campaign-finance rules can exempt candidates who expect to raise and spend $750 or less and do not form a committee.

The Oregonian/OregonLive poll of 549 likely voters (Sept. 24–Oct. 1) placed Smith at 3% with 7% undecided. A separate internal poll commissioned by the Kotek campaign put Smith at 6%, though that was campaign-sponsored polling, not an independent public poll.

In follow-up coverage of the Oct. 1 UO event, Smith described affordability as a top issue and called for an audit of state spending, a review of licensing fees, regulations and nonprofit spending, and proposed making large employers pay toward public costs when low-paid workers rely on public assistance.

Smith appeared at a University of Oregon event featuring all three governor candidates. He opened by saying 'My name is Brett, and I'm not wanted here,' criticized the event's monetary qualification criteria, and said he was there to 'spit in the eye of the status quo.'

OPB's Sept. 30 poll found Smith at 3%, including after pollsters asked undecided voters which way they leaned, with Drazan and Kotek polling close together.

Reporting ahead of the Oct. 1 UO event noted Smith failed to meet the stated qualification thresholds: at least 5% in a statewide poll, more than $100,000 in contributions, or contributions from 250 people.

Right Now Oregon detailed Smith's 'Oregon Plan': making the Oregon Health Plan available to all residents with sliding-scale premiums for higher-income residents, and a surcharge on employers with 50+ workers paying below a living-wage benchmark, with revenue directed to health coverage, food assistance, and programs for lower-wage workers.

OPB reported that some Democrats privately worried Smith might draw votes from Kotek in a close race, while Republican observers could welcome that prospect. Smith confirmed in a July statement he expected to hurt Kotek.

By Sept. 16, OPB described Smith as the Pacific Green Party nominee and one of three candidates on the November ballot alongside Kotek and Drazan. His specific filing or certification date was not reported.

OPB described Smith's policy positions, including a permanent moratorium on data centers—stronger than positions taken by Kotek and Drazan at the time—and support for universal health care.

OPB reported that Smith had not reported raising money as of mid-September. A Republican consultant questioned whether he could attract votes without campaign funds.

A DHM Research poll of 600 likely voters conducted Sept. 3–9 placed Smith at 3% initially and 4% after undecided voters were asked which way they leaned, well behind Kotek and Drazan.

In a July statement to OPB, Brett Smith acknowledged his presence on the ballot would hurt Tina Kotek, saying: 'My name being on there is going to hurt Tina Kotek. I have no intention of backing down.'