Jeff Merkley is seeking another term as Oregon’s U.S. senator in the November 3, 2026, election. The official ballot lists him as the Democratic and Working Families candidate alongside David Brock Smith, Gary Lyndon Dye and Chris Henry.
Background and priorities
Merkley’s November voters’ pamphlet statement identifies his current occupation as U.S. senator. He lists previous work with Habitat for Humanity, as a national security analyst and as a small business founder, along with service as a state representative and Oregon House speaker.
His submitted educational background lists David Douglas High School, a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and a master’s degree in public policy.
Merkley advocates paper ballots, expanded voting by mail and restrictions on secret campaign funding. His statement also calls for ending stock trading by public officials and a binding Supreme Court ethics code.
His household-affordability priorities include housing, health care, child care, education and jobs. He supports limiting hedge-fund purchases of single-family homes and expanding affordable pathways to trade school and college.
On climate and infrastructure, he calls for renewable energy and investments in rural broadband, clean water, mental health, schools, transportation and ports.
Source: Official November 2026 voters’ pamphlet, page 31. Candidate statements describe the candidates’ own backgrounds and positions.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
