U.S. Senator-elect Jeff Merkley looked like he had emerged from a lengthy hibernation Thursday morning, as he spoke his first words to the over 100 supporters, friends and media members that squeezed into Portland State’s Urban Center Gallery.
“I can’t tell you how good it is to see you all,” said Merkley, a Democrat who had been locked in a hotly contested race since Nov. 2 with two-term incumbent Gordon Smith. “It’s been a long day and a half.”
Like many around Oregon, Merkley had been focused on his contentious battle with Smith, a Republican senator, for one of the state’s U.S. Senate seats.
As votes were being counted Tuesday evening, Merkley held a slight lead. Then over night he relinquished his edge to Smith, who led until Merkley pulled ahead Wednesday afternoon, and was shortly thereafter declared the projected victor of the race.
Merkley finished with 49 percent of the votes to Smith’s 46 percent, a difference of about 42,600 votes. Earlier Thursday morning Merkley spoke with Smith over the phone, and later explained that the former senator was “gracious” in defeat and reminded Merkley of “how much of an honor it is to be a U.S. senator.”
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden was in attendance at Merkley’s acceptance conference, as well.
“I can’t think of any better way to transition into being a senator than to join such a tremendous leader for the state of Oregon,” Merkley said, motioning to Wyden, who was has held his seat since 1996.
Following the pleasantries, Merkley passionately ran through his agenda, which includes bringing U.S. soldiers home from Iraq, making healthcare more accessible for all Americans and creating living-wage jobs to help working families.
Merkley also addressed tackling global warming, giving working families a tax break and the dependence on foreign oil.
Investing in education was one of his points that received an especially rousing round of applause, which was apropos considering his surroundings.
“If we don’t invest in education today, we cannot thrive tomorrow,” Merkley said.
Wyden said he valued his time working with Smith but was certainly looking forward to partnering with Merkley.
“Together we’re going to get this economy back on track,” Wyden said. “Jeff and I are quickly going to become partners to tackle the big issues.”
Jeff Merkley file
Birthplace: Myrtle Creek, Ore. Age: 52Education: Earned bachelor’s degree from Stanford and pursued master’s degree at Princeton University. Family: Mary, a professional nurse, and children Jonathan, 12, and Brynn, 10. Oregon political experience: 1999-2007: Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 47th District2007-Present: Sixty-fourth speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives and the first Democrat to hold the position in 16 years. General experience: -Executive director for Portland Habitat for Humanity-National security analyst for the Pentagon -President of the Oregon World Affairs Council.