Speculation about whether Merkley will run again has heated up in recent days.
BY NIGEL JAQUISS
Oregon Journalism Project
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) is up for re-election in 2026 for the seat the East Portland resident and former Oregon House speaker first won in 2008.
Merkley, a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and a progressive in the mode of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), has never enjoyed campaigning or retail politics.…