Salem, Oregon – In January 2026, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will start the year with a series of in-person town halls around Oregon. Eight community meetings are planned over three days in January. These sessions are the first stops on his statewide town hall tour for the new year. He will speak with people in eight different counties.
On Friday, January 9, Merkley will visit Yamhill, Polk, and Marion counties for the first set of events. He will begin his day in McMinnville, then go to Monmouth, and finally complete his day in Salem. On Saturday, January 10, the senator will go south and west, stopping in Douglas County for town halls and then in Coos and Curry counties. The first set of debates will end on Sunday, January 11, with talks in Josephine and Jackson counties.
Merkley said that these meetings are aimed to provide Oregonians a direct route to their senator and a chance to talk about issues that are important to them.
“I’m looking forward to again visiting wonderful communities all over our state. By talking directly to folks in each county my team and I can go to work for the interests and needs most important in each corner of our state,” Merkley said.
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The eight town halls will serve as the launch of Merkley’s 2026 commitment to visit all 36 Oregon counties. Since he took office in 2009, he has kept his vow to hold at least one open town hall in every county every year.
The events will all take place in public places, such as community centers, schools, and college campuses. The times will be spaced out throughout the day to make it easier for people who live nearby to attend. There are places like the McMinnville Community Center and Western Oregon University, as well as community colleges in Roseburg and Grants Pass, schools and civic centers along the southern coast, and schools and civic centers in Southern Oregon.
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Local news outlets will get more information about each town hall closer to the event dates. However, all events are planned to be open, in-person interactions for anybody who wants to come.
