2026 United States Senate election in Oregon
November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Oregon |
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Oregon will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Oregon. Primary elections will be held on May 19, 2026. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, who was re-elected with 56.9% of the vote in 2020, is running for a fourth term.[1]
Background
Oregon is generally considered to be a strongly blue state at the federal and state levels, having not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2002 (or any Republican statewide since 2016). Democrats control both U.S. Senate seats, all statewide offices, all but one seat in Oregon's U.S. House congressional delegation, and, since January 2025, hold supermajorities in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.[2] Merkley was first elected in 2008 defeating then-incumbent Gordon Smith, and was re-elected twice, in 2014 and 2020.[3]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jeff Merkley, incumbent U.S. senator[1][4]
- Paul D.Wells, retired electical engineer[5][4]
Declined
- Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. representative from Oregon's 1st congressional district (2012–present) (running for re-election)[6]
Endorsements
Jeff Merkley
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jeff Merkley (D) | $6,114,210 | $3,968,072 | $5,951,699 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[11] | |||
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Brent Barker, commercial real estate broker[4]
- Deborah C. Brown, retired civil engineer[4]
- David Burch, perennial candidate[4]
- Russ McAlmond, businessman[5][4]
- Douglas T. Muck Jr., rancher[5]
- Jo Rae Perkins, former chair of the Linn County Republican Party and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022[12][4]
- Tim Skelton, Scoutmaster and security worker[13][14]
- David Brock Smith, state senator from the 1st district (2023–present)[15]
Did Not File
- Joe Johnson, former candidate for Baker County Commission and Baker City Council[5][16]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[17] | Solid D | August 12, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[18] | Solid D | October 14, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[19] | Safe D | August 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[20] | Safe D | September 4, 2025 |
References
- ^ a b VanderHart, Dirk (July 11, 2025). "Oregon's Jeff Merkley will seek a 4th term in US Senate, ending speculation". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Shumway, Julia (November 27, 2024). "Democrats win supermajority in Oregon House, Senate, with narrow win in Woodburn • Oregon Capital Chronicle". Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/10/jeff-merkley-seeking-4th-term/
- ^ a b c d e f g "Report Criteria: Election Year: 2026, Election: 2026 Primary Election, Office: US Senator". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Jacoby, Jayson (November 19, 2025). "Baker City man seeking Republican nomination in 2026 for Democrat Jeff Merkley's U.S. Senate seat". Baker City Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
- ^ Fuentes, Carlos; Edge, Sami (May 30, 2025). "Jeff Merkley hasn't said he'll step down from the U.S. Senate. But some top Oregon Democrats have registered websites just in case". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ "Candidates". Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs.
- ^ "2025-2026 Endorsements". League of Conservation Voters. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "Meet Our 2026 Candidates". Peace Action. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Endorsements". Population Connection Action Fund. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Oregon". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Nanguneri, Shaanath (March 3, 2026). "Coastal Oregon conservative announces run for U.S. Senate". Oregon Capitol Chronicle. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ "SKELTON, TIMOTHY WILLIAM - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Who's running for office in the May 2026 primary election?". The Banks Post. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Merison, Kelsey (March 3, 2026). "Oregon State Senator David Brock Smith announces Senate campaign". KTVZ. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ "Report Criteria: Election Year: 2026, Election: 2026 Primary Election, Office: US Senator". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites