It's entirely possible that this year will end without Garland Merrick heading for the Supreme Court, and without Bernie Sanders heading for the White House.
Neither prospect excites Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. Merkley, in his second term, is one of many senators trying to push the Republican leadership to hold hearings and a vote on the Supreme Court vacancy.
And he's the ONLY senator to publicly endorse Sanders' campaign for president. The senator spends part of the latest Congressional recess in Southern Oregon, he visits the studio with news from the Capitol and calls from constituents.
