Jeff Merkley is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Senator from Oregon since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, he is known for his progressive policies and for being the only senator to endorse Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries. This article will showcase Jeff Merkley’s net worth and some of his most significant assets.
How rich is Jeff Merkley?
Jeff Merkley attended David Douglas High School, earned a B.A. in international relations from Stanford University, and received a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. He worked in the Congressional Budget Office on nuclear weapons programs and policies.
From 1991 to 1994, he served as executive director of Portland Habitat for Humanity. He was also involved with several social projects and NGOs, including the Walk for Humanity, Human Solutions, and YouthBuild. Additionally, Merkley was President of the World Affairs Council of Oregon for seven years and still sits on the board of trustees.
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He entered politics in 1998 when he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. He ultimately became the House Speaker in 2007 and held the position until 2009. In 2009, he became the U.S. Senator from Oregon, which he remains today.
What is Jeff Merkley’s net worth?
Disclaimer: Estimating a lawmaker’s net worth is challenging because disclosure forms do not mandate exact values. Instead, lawmakers report the value of their assets and liabilities within specified ranges. While we strive to accurately estimate net worth from filings, disclosure rules have shortcomings. Personal residences, certain personal property, and federal retirement accounts are often not reported. Large assets can be listed in broad categories like “Over $1 million” or “Over $50 million,” potentially worth much more. Additionally, most Members of Congress earn $174,000 annually, but this isn’t required to be disclosed.
How did Jeff Merkley make his money?
Jeff Merkley has held an elected official position since 1999. He and his spouse also own certain real estate and have made several fruitful investments. Merkley’s publicly available income sources include:
- Government career: Before entering politics, Merkley worked at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Congressional Budget Office. Furthermore, he occupied various positions at NGOs, development projects, and developments;
- Politics: Jeff Merkley became a Member of the Oregon House of Representatives in 1999, which marked the beginning of his political career. He became a senator in 2009, and the title comes with an annual salary of $174,000;
- Investing and real estate: Merkley and his spouse own real estate, including residential properties in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon. They also invest in retirement plans, savings accounts, and mutual funds.
Jeff Merkley’s assets
Merkley’s 2023 financial disclosure form shows that the Oregon senator has formidable assets and valuable real estate:
- Rental house in Washington, D.C. – valued between $1 million and $5 million;
- Rental house in Washington, D.C. #2 (Kentucky Ave) – valued between $1 million and $5 million;
- Fidelity Growth Company K6 Fund (FGKFX) – mutual fund position held by the spouse and worth over $1 million;
- Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) – mutual fund position valued between $500,001 and $1,000,000;
- Rental house in Portland, Oregon – valued between $500,001 to $1,000,000.
Insider trading involvement
Jeff Merkley has been a vocal opponent of senators using insider information for personal gain via stock trading. In April 2023, the Oregon senator pushed for a bill preventing Congresspeople from owning or trading individual stock together with what was reported to be “a growing coalition.”
“Congressional stock trading is deeply corrupt. We are elected to serve the public, not our portfolios. And no member should vote on bills biased by the character of their holdings.”
Jeff Merkley
According to his publicly disclosed financial forms, the senator does not own or trade individual stocks.
Who is Jeff Merkley?
Jeff Merkley was born in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, on October 24, 1956. He earned a degree in international relations from Stanford University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Princeton University. Before entering politics, he worked for the Congressional Budget Office and served as executive director of Portland Habitat for Humanity.
Recommended video: ‘Let’s Pull Back The Curtain’: Jeff Merkley Rips Republicans On Debt Limit
Merkley served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009, serving as Speaker during the last two years of his tenure. In 2009, he was elected U.S. Senator from Oregon and has been reelected ever since. Known as a progressive, he focuses on issues like climate change and healthcare reform. Merkley also had a crucial part in the Dodd-Frank Act, which aimed to stop future financial crises.
How much is Jeff Merkley’s net worth – the bottom line
The Senator from Oregon is among the more affluent U.S. representatives, owing to his ownership of real estate and some decent investments. In fact, Jeff Merkley’s net worth is valued between $4.55 million and $19.875 million.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
