Jeff Merkley was born in Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1956 and has represented the state in the U.S. Senate since 2009. He earned a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.P.A. from Princeton University. Before joining the Senate, he served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1999-2008, including as Speaker during the final two years. Merkley defeated two-term Republican incumbent Gordon Smith in 2008 and has been re-elected twice, in 2014 and 2020, establishing himself as a leading progressive voice. He currently serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (senior member), and Senate Banking Committee.
Merkley has deep Oregon roots and progressive credentials developed over decades of public service. After his master's degree, he worked at the Office of Secretary of Defense and Congressional Budget Office analyzing national security policy. He returned to Portland in 1991 to lead Portland Habitat for Humanity, where he initiated innovative housing programs for low-income families. In the Oregon House, he was elected Speaker in 2007, establishing a reputation for legislative effectiveness. His Senate tenure has focused on progressive priorities while building cross-party relationships on specific issues like military and defense policy.