Will seek Senate reelection in Oregon

Merkley rules out White House run but will seek reelection in Oregon

By CAITLIN OPRYSKO

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley will not seek the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination, he announced Tuesday.

The Oregon Democrat shut down presidential speculation in a video released Tuesday morning after teasing a “major” announcement late Monday night about his plans for next year's election. Instead of a White House bid, Merkley announced he will run for reelection to his Senate seat, citing the need for “strong leadership” in the Senate as well as the White House.

Merkley’s name had cropped up on lists of Democratic presidential hopefuls looking to win the White House back from President Donald Trump next year, though he had not enjoyed the same high-profile, front-runner status as some of his other Senate colleagues, including Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) or Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

“I believe that there are Democrats now in the presidential race who are speaking to the importance of tackling the big challenges we face,” he said. “But what I’m also sure of is that right now the Senate is not prepared to be a full partner in this fight. My best contribution is to run for reelection and do all I can to help the Senate be a full partner in addressing the challenges before us.”

Merkley’s announcement comes as the crowded Democratic primary field continues to swell and take shape, with two more candidates, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, adding their names to the fray in the last few days.

Merkley confirmed in his video that he had considered a presidential bid, but said he determined that he could be more effective in the Senate than he could fighting to stand out in a crowded primary field. He vowed instead to “fix our broken and dysfunctional Senate so it isn’t just a graveyard for good ideas” and pledged to address key issues like economic inequality and climate change from that chamber.

His presidential ambitions may also have been hampered by a provision in Oregon law that would bar him from running simultaneously for reelection and for president. Similar provisions exist in states like New Jersey, where Sen. Cory Booker, unlike Merkley, successfully lobbied state lawmakers to change the law and enable his presidential run. Merkley dropped his bid to get the law changed in December, forcing him to choose between either running for reelection or for president.