# Jeff Merkley Three-term Democratic senator from Oregon, serving since 2009. Former Oregon Speaker of the House (2007–2008). Elected to the Senate 2008 defeating Republican incumbent Gordon Smith. Announced re-election for a fourth term in early 2026. ## Career highlights - Speaker, Oregon House of Representatives (2007–2008) — led the chamber back to a Democratic majority after years in the minority - Elected U.S. Senate 2008, part of the post-Obama Democratic wave - Re-elected 2014 and 2020 (each with 55%+) - Progressive caucus member; prominent voice on filibuster reform, climate, and forest policy - Notable 2018 visit to a southern-border family-separation detention facility that helped trigger national attention to the policy ## 2026 cycle Announced re-election. Faces minor Democratic primary challenge (Paul Damian Wells) on May 19, 2026. No major Republican has entered; the R field is open with only minor candidates. Cook rating Likely D; the race is listed here for completeness, not because it is likely to move. See [[OR-Sen-2026]] for full race context. ## Ideological positioning - Senate progressive caucus member; close to [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Elizabeth Warren]] on economic issues - Longtime advocate for filibuster reform — one of the earliest senators to publicly support nuking the filibuster for voting rights legislation (2021–2022) - Strong climate record; backed Green [[New Deal]] framework and [[Inflation Reduction Act]] - Pacific Northwest regionalist on forests, salmon, Columbia River Basin ## Related - [[OR-Sen-2026]]