Merkley Re-elected, Keeps Oregon Senate Seat Blue
Sen. Jeff Merkley wins Oregon Senate race, securing Democratic control in the state.
2 min read
Sen. Jeff Merkley has secured his second term in the U.S. Senate, keeping Oregon’s Senate seat blue in the 2026 midterm elections. With 75% of the votes counted, the Associated Press called the race for Merkley (D-Ore.), who received 56.6% of the total votes, while Republican David Brock Smith garnered 40.5%.
Long-standing Political Career
Merkley, born in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, and raised in Roseburg and East Multnomah County, has built a long and influential political career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford University and a Master of Public Policy from Princeton University. Before entering politics, he worked in public administration, including a role as a technology analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, and later led non-profit organizations in Oregon, such as Habitat for Humanity in Portland.
Merkley began his political career in the Oregon House of Representatives, where he represented the 47th district from 1999 to 2009. In 2007, he became the Speaker of the Oregon House, leading the legislative chamber. His political career took a national turn in 2008 when he ran for the U.S. Senate and narrowly unseated two-term Republican incumbent Gordon Smith.
Senate Contributions and Key Legislation
Entering the Senate in January 2009, Merkley gained a reputation as a progressive leader, focusing on financial reform, consumer protection, and environmental sustainability. During the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, he co-authored the “Volcker Rule” amendment, which prohibited commercial banks from engaging in proprietary trading.
Throughout his Senate tenure, Merkley has served on key committees including Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, and the Budget Committee. His work has consistently reflected his commitment to progressive policies and environmental stewardship.
Republican Challenger
David Brock Smith, a third-generation Oregonian and former restaurateur, ran for the Senate seat in 2026. Raised in Port Orford, Oregon, Smith attended Pacific High School before earning degrees from Southwestern Oregon Community College and Southern Oregon University. Prior to public office, he worked in the culinary industry in the Rogue Valley and later took over his family’s restaurant and lounge, the Port & Starboard, which was originally established by his grandfather.
Smith began his public service at the local level, serving as president of the Port Orford City Council, a Curry County commissioner, and president of the local chamber of commerce. He transitioned to state politics in 2016 and was appointed to the Oregon State Senate in 2023. His legislative priorities have centered on southwest Oregon’s rural economic sectors, including agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing, and natural resource management.
Source: OANN
