21st Century Democrats Endorse Jeff Merkley

National Progressive Organization Brings Grassroots Strength

The 21st Century Democrats, a national grassroots organization that supports candidates who fight for working families in the tradition of Paul Wellstone, endorsed Jeff Merkley's campaign for U.S. Senate. Founded to give progressive and populist candidates the support they need to win elections, 21st Century Democrats has grown to become one of the largest political action committees in the nation.

"21st Century Democrats don't make endorsements lightly, particularly in contested Democratic primaries," said Mark Lotwis, the Executive Director of the 21st Century Democrats. "But this Senate race is a real opportunity to defeat an entrenched Republican in Gordon Smith, who consistently works against our core values of universal health care, a clean and sustainable environment, living wages and secure jobs, and fair taxation.

"Jeff Merkley has been a leader for progressive values in Oregon and a fighter for working families. 21st Century Democrats enthusiastically supports Jeff's campaign because Jeff brings the courage and skill needed to take our nation in the right direction."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of 21st Century Democrats", said Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley. "Their commitment to progressive values and grassroots organizing are key to winning tough elections. I'm ready to take on the special interests that have been running Washington and fight for hard-working families."

Jeff Merkley spent his early years in Roseburg, Oregon, a community where the children of loggers and mill workers learned the value of honest work, good neighbors, and strong families. Merkley earned scholarships and became the first in his family to go to college. He went on to serve as a national security analyst, first for the Pentagon and then for Congress. After returning to Oregon with his wife Mary, Merkley led Habitat for Humanity and helped low-income families work their way into the middle class.

As Oregon's next U.S. Senator, Jeff Merkley will take on the special interests and fight hard for regular hardworking Oregonians. He will take on the big insurance and drug companies to make health care more affordable and accessible for all. He will end unfair trade deals that have cost Oregon 70,000 manufacturing jobs and will end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. And Merkley will end the war in Iraq, bring our sons and daughters home, and fulfill the commitment we have made to veterans and men and women in uniform.

Today, Jeff Merkley lives in East Multnomah County with Mary, a registered nurse, their two children, Jonathan age twelve and Brynne age ten.

Posted May 7, 2008
Press, Spotlight