Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator from Oregon since 2009. Ran in 8 elections between 1998 and 2020, winning 8. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2032.
U.S. Senator from OregonBorn 1956Policy analyst
- In office
- 17 yrs
- Since 2009
- Bills became law
- 0
- 136 sponsored, 119th Congress
- Votes missed
- 0.8%
- Chamber median 2.1%
- With party
- 100%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +19.4
- Won 2026
- Next election
- 2032
- Nov 2, 2032
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET
Committees
119th Congress.
- Senate Committee on AppropriationsAgriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related AgenciesCommerce, Justice, Science, and Related AgenciesEnergy and Water DevelopmentDepartment of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies · Ranking MemberDepartments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related AgenciesState, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public WorksChemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight · Ranking MemberClean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and SafetyTransportation and Infrastructure
- Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsAfrica and Global Health PolicyEast Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity PolicyWestern Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues
- Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
- Senate Committee on the Budget · Ranking Member
- Joint Committee on Printing
Source: congress-legislators committeesUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET
Legislation
International Affairs · In committee Oct 2025
Source: Congress.gov billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 3:27 PM ET
Voting record
Where Merkley sits in the U.S. Senate
Merkley is closer to the center than 7% of the chamber's Democrats.
Closest: Chris Van Hollen, Christopher Murphy, Bernard Sanders
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 5:06 PM ET
With Merkley’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Democrats100%
- Cosponsorships of the other party's bills17%
Black tick: the average of Democrats in the U.S. Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Merkley’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Democrats.
| Date | Bill | Merkley | Dem. majority | Rep. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 5, 2026 | S 2: Secure America Act | No | No | Yes | Passed 52–47 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | HJRES 140: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code,… | No | No | Yes | Passed 50–49 |
| Feb 12, 2026 | HJRES 142: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C.… | No | No | Yes | Passed 49–47 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | HR 7148: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 | No | No | Yes | Passed 71–29 |
| Dec 4, 2025 | HJRES 131: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code,… | No | No | Yes | Passed 49–45 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Merkley was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin | Seat | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | U.S. Senate, Oregon | Won | D+19.4 | D+14.9 | +4.5 |
| 2020 | U.S. Senate, Oregon | Won | D+17.6 | D+16.6 | +1.0 |
| 2014 | U.S. Senate, Oregon | Won | D+18.9 | D+12.5 | +6.4 |
| 2008 | U.S. Senate, Oregon | Won | D+3.4 | D+16.8 | −13.4 |
| 2006 | Oregon House of Representatives, District 47 | Won | D+28.4 | — | — |
| 2004 | Oregon House of Representatives, District 47 | Won | D+29.3 | — | — |
| 2002 | Oregon House of Representatives, District 47 | Won | — | — | — |
| 2000 | Oregon House of Representatives, District 16 | Won | D+67.1 | — | — |
| 1998 | Oregon House of Representatives, District 16 | Won | D+20.9 | — | — |
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: Oregon Secretary of State and civicAPI (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Campaign money, 2025–26
- Raised
- $5.4M
- Spent
- $3M
- Cash
- $6.6M
Source: FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026Updated Nov 3, 2026, 2:14 AM ET
Campaign committees
Open committees can still raise and spend money.
| JEFF MERKLEY FOR OREGON FEC | Active |
Source: FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026Updated Nov 3, 2026, 2:14 AM ET
Seats Merkley has held
- U.S. Senate, Oregon · 2009–2027
- Oregon House of Representatives, District 47 · 2002–2008
- Oregon House of Representatives, District 16 · 1998–2002
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Merkley has run against
- David Smith (R) · 2026 election, won
- Jo Rae Perkins (R) · 2020 election, won
- Monica Wehby (R) · 2014 election, won
- Gordon Smith (R) · 2008 election, won
- Bruce McCain (R) · 2006 election, won
- Frank Cleys (R) · 2004 election, won
- David Tillemans (I) · 2000 election, won
- Cletus Moore Jr. (R) · 1998 election, won
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: Oregon Secretary of State and civicAPI (unofficial)
In the polls
Included in 24 polls; Merkley’s best result was 55% (U.S. Senate in Oregon, 2020).
Merkley’s polls in the database →How we know Merkley
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Bioguide M001176
- FEC S8OR00207
- Wikidata Q1368405
- Ballotpedia Jeff Merkley
- Vote Smart 23644
- GovTrack 412325
- OpenSecrets N00029303
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET