📚 Summer school. Jeff Merkley holds 5 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
Own campaign is 10.5% PAC, but Runs a registered leadership PAC (FEC C00460972) — ProPublica/OpenSecrets. Running a corporate-funded leadership PAC fails Open Books. (FEC/OpenSecrets 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
68%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Fierce but issue-focused progressive; limited record of dehumanizing rhetoric toward opponents.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
65%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Runs on affirmative climate and democracy-reform agenda alongside procedural critiques.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
70%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Broadly accurate fact-check record; votes consistent with stated progressive commitments.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
48%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Mostly party-line, but principled independence on filibuster reform and process questions.
60
7Morality
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented corruption, ethics findings, or credible personal scandal on the public record.
60
Engage Merkley
Every public channel, one click. Hold them to it — warmly, in the register of right speech.
This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
Are you Jeff Merkley? An official named in a review may answer it by phone rather than in writing. Confirm it's you and we'll arrange a call.
Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →