Senate candidate Jeff Merkley to speak at PSU

Oregon U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) will hold an open forum with students on campus Friday at Portland State.

Oregon U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) will hold an open forum with students on campus Friday at Portland State.

Merkley, former Democratic leader of the state house, is one of three U.S. Senate candidates visiting PSU during the campaign season, alongside fellow Democrat Steve Novick and independent candidate John Frohnmayer.

Merkley will speak about issues of concern to students, according to a campaign spokesman. Some of his platform issues include environmental issues, tuition reductions and the removal of troops from Iraq.

These three candidates will challenge Republican incumbent Gordon Smith in next fall’s election. The candidates will run against each other next May.

The event will be held Friday at noon in Parkway North, room 101 of Smith Memorial Student Union.