Oregon Sen. Merkley, House Speaker Kotek To Speak At DNC Monday

By Jeff Mapes

Published July 25, 2016 at 9:33 AM PDT

<p><span class="s1">U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon addresses attendees of the state convention, Saturday, June 18, 2016, in Tacoma, Washington. Merkley, who had previously endorsed Bernie Sanders, told Democrats that they need to unite behind Hillary Clinton in order to defeat Donald Trump in November.</span></p> — U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon addresses attendees of the state convention, Saturday, June 18, 2016, in Tacoma, Washington. Merkley, who had previously endorsed Bernie Sanders, told Democrats that they need to unite behind Hillary Clinton in order to defeat Donald Trump in November.

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, the only senator to endorse Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for president, will speak Monday night at the Democratic National Convention. Oregon Democratic House Speaker Tina Kotek is also scheduled to address the Convention.

Spokesman Ray Zaccaro confirmed the senator's appearance. It will be on the same night that Sanders is scheduled to give what will be a closely watched speech.

Sanders pressed Clinton hard during the Democratic primary season, winning numerous states including Oregon.

Last month, Merkley said it was clear Clinton had a delegate majority. He said the party should now rally around her.

He praised Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Clinton's vice presidential choice. Some Sanders supporters criticized Kaine's support of international trade pacts.

Previously, two Sanders advisers, Larry Cohen and Robert Borosage, suggested that Clinton should choose Merkley as her running mate. They said Merkley would help unify Sanders supporters around the ticket.