Democrat Jeff Merkley wins reelection to U.S. Senate from Oregon

Democrat Jeff Merkley won election Tuesday to the U.S. Senate representing Oregon, defeating Republican David Brock Smith. Merkley was first elected in 2008 and has positioned himself in opposition to President Donald Trump. The senator made headlines last year for speaking for more than 22 hours on the Senate floor in protest of the president amid the government shutdown. Merkley’s victory wasn’t a surprise in Oregon, which hasn’t sent a Republican to the Senate since 2002. The Associated Press declared Merkley the winner at 11:00 p.m. EST.

The Associated Press