DemocratCurrent Officeholder

Jeff Merkley

U.S. Senate

OR U.S. Senate

Jeff Merkley is Oregon's senior U.S. Senator and one of the Senate's leading progressive voices. A former Speaker of the Oregon House, he defeated Republican incumbent Gordon Smith in 2008 and has won re-election comfortably since. He is best known nationally for his campaign-finance reform work, his push for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, and his policy of sleeping in his congressional office to save money. He is expected to easily win re-election in 2026.

Democracy & Campaign Finance

Overturn Citizens United; end dark money in politics

Led efforts for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United
Introduced the DISCLOSE Act to require transparency in political spending
Authored legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act
Has slept in his congressional office since 2009 to protest money in politics

Climate & Environment

Aggressive action on climate; protect Oregon's forests and coast

Backed the Green New Deal resolution
Supported the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy provisions
Advocated for old-growth forest protections in Oregon

Housing Affordability

Federal investment in affordable housing; end homelessness

Introduced the HOME Act to increase affordable housing construction
Backed emergency rental assistance and eviction moratoriums during COVID
Pushed for expanding Section 8 housing vouchers

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