Sen. Jeff MerkleyJeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyQAnon believer advances to Georgia House runoff race Senate Dems press DOJ over coronavirus safety precautions in juvenile detention centers Democratic unity starts to crack in coronavirus liability reform fight MORE (D-Ore.) is quietly lobbying Oregon state lawmakers to change a law that would prevent him for running for president in 2020 and reelection to the Senate at the same time, according to the Willamette Week.
Oregon Revised Statutes 249.013 states that “A person may not be a candidate for more than one lucrative office to be filled at the same election,” meaning Merkley would have to give up his Senate seat to run for president in the upcoming cycle.
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Merkley, who was speaker of the Oregon House in 2007, may reach into his reserve of support in the chamber to try to change the law, according to Willamette Week. But the more conservative state Senate may not be so willing to go along with the plan.
Merkley’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
“Sen. Merkley has been approached by Oregonians who have expressed interest in changing the law,” Merkley spokesman Ray Zaccaro told Willamette Week. “He agrees this is something that should be addressed.”
New Jersey passed a law earlier this month allowing any U.S. senator or member of the U.S. House from the Garden State to appear on both the primary general election for their respective office in addition to the presidency. The move was widely seen as paving the way for Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) to run for president in 2020 as well as for reelection to the Senate should he fall short.
Should Merkely decide to run, he would likely join a crowded field packed with higher profile names, including former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.), Booker and more.
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