Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said Tuesday won’t enter the race for the White House, but will seek a third term in the Senate.
“We are in a battle for the soul of our nation and we have to win. Over the last year, I’ve weighed whether I can contribute more to the battle by running for president or by running for re-election to the Senate,” Merkley said in a video announcement.
“Today, I’m announcing that I am not running for president,” he said.
Merkley, who was considered a possible 2020 contender, said candidates already in the race are already addressing the challenges he sees as important.
“Three great crises threaten America,” he said, listing off a “democracy crisis,” referring to voting and campaign finance laws; a “climate crisis”; and an “opportunity crisis,” rooted in lack of affordable housing, education, healthcare, and good-paying jobs.
About a half dozen of his Senate colleagues are running for the Democratic presidential nomination.
