Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon announced on Thursday that he will be seeking a fourth term in Congress by running for reelection next year. The 68-year-old expressed his commitment to fighting against threats to democracy, particularly denouncing the Trump administration. Merkley emphasized the importance of unity during these challenging times, stating, “This is a dark and dangerous time for our democracy, and the only way through it is together.” Merkley, who currently serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, was reelected to the Senate in 2020 with nearly 57% of the vote. He has been a member of Congress since 2009, following a decade of service in the Oregon House of Representatives. Oregon’s other Democratic senator, Ron Wyden, will not face reelection until 2028.
