He is a Mormon, and has a good working relationship with Democratic Senator Ron Wyden. This is helpful for Smith as this keeps Wyden out of the frey and away from the Bradbury camp.
Smith is a Republican who has to survive politically in Oregon. That is mainly why he is like he is politically.
"That is mainly why he is what he is politically."
I'll take your word for it. Unfortunately, that's substantially the complaint. ;^)