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U.S. Senate · OR · Democratic candidate · 2026

Jeff Merkley

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Oregon

Jeff Merkley is an Oregon senator, former state House speaker and affordable housing leader focused on healthcare, democracy and clean energy jobs.

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Portrait of Jeff Merkley
StateOregon
OfficeU.S. Senate
ElectionNov. 3, 2026

Policy priorities

Where Jeff stands.

Campaign position

Voting rights and accountability

  • Supports ending gerrymandering, overturning Citizens United and expanding early voting and mail voting

Campaign position

Clean energy and jobs

  • Supports a Green New Deal and a shift to renewable energy with investment in frontline communities

Campaign position

Medicare and prescription costs

  • Supports Medicare for All and barring drug prices above those charged in Canada, Europe and Japan

Campaign position

Infrastructure and rural broadband

  • Supports rebuilding roads, bridges, ports and jetties and extending high-speed broadband to rural communities

Campaign position

Schools and college opportunity

  • Supports smaller elementary classes, technical education and debt-free college for young people

Campaign position

Affordable housing and childcare

  • Supports making housing and childcare affordable in every community and strengthening workers’ bargaining rights

Record and background

Record & experience.

  1. 1999–2009

    Experience

    Oregon state representative

    Represented his East Multnomah County neighborhood.

  2. 2007–2009

    Experience

    Oregon House speaker

    Led the state House following election as speaker in 2007.

  3. 2009–present

    Experience

    U.S. senator

    Represents Oregon in the United States Senate.

  4. 2007

    Accomplishment

    Oregon rainy-day fund

    Helped lead passage of Oregon’s first state rainy-day fund as House speaker.

  5. 2007

    Accomplishment

    Payday lending restrictions

    Helped pass limits on predatory payday lending while leading the Oregon House.

  • Experience

    Senator Mark Hatfield intern

    Worked in Senator Hatfield’s Capitol office during college.

  • Experience

    Restaurant server and dishwasher

    Waited tables and washed dishes while extending his stay in Washington.

  • Experience

    Pentagon national security analyst

    Analyzed national security policy at the Pentagon.

  • Experience

    Congressional Budget Office analyst

    Worked on national security policy at the Congressional Budget Office.

  • Experience

    World Affairs Council president

    Led the World Affairs Council of Oregon.

  • Experience

    Portland Habitat executive director

    Led Portland Area Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership work.

  • Experience

    Nonprofit housing developer

    Developed affordable housing at another nonprofit after Habitat.

  • Experience

    Senate Budget ranking member

    Leads Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee.

  • Experience

    Interior appropriations ranking member

    Leads Democrats on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

  • Experience

    Chemical safety oversight ranking member

    Leads Democrats on the Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee.

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