I’ll be casting my vote this November for U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley.

Oregonians have a pretty stark choice this election cycle. Gordon Smith, the incumbent Republican is seeking a third term. Yes, we’re talking about the same Gordon Smith who voted for George W. Bush’s disastrous economic policies – policies that have benefited the supper wealthy at the expense of the middle class. Poverty levels have soared under those policies.

Gordon Smith was also an early supporter of Bush’s failed policies in Iraq. It was only when popular opinion began to shift on the war that Smith suddenly became a critic.

Sadly, Gordon Smith has also been a supporter of some of George W. Bush’s extremist choices for the federal bench.

On all these issues – the economy, the war, the courts – Gordon Smith has ignored pleas from mainline Christian groups concerned about the common good of our nation.

Jeff Merkley will be a different kind of senator. Like many other Oregonians, I’ve been impressed with his leadership as the Oregon House Speaker. He took on the pay day lenders and fought for a clean environment. In fact, his campaign has been endorsed by the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters. He also has the support of Planned Parenthood of Oregon and NARAL Pro-Choice America. As a member of Clergy for Choice, I know how important it will be for Oregon to have another voice that supports letting women make their own health care decisions. Jeff Merkley will work to rebuild our economy and will fight to confirm mainstream judges.  He's right on the issues.

Every vote will matter this November. Make sure you are registered and join me in supporting Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate.

Note:  As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I trust deeply in the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state and my endorsement is therefore a personal one and does not reflect on the church I serve or my denomination. But as a citizen I believe that all Americans must engage in the political process as individuals for democracy to thrive.