March 12, 2020 4:00 a.m.
With Tuesday’s filing deadline in the rear-view mirror of the 2020 election cycle, candidates for the U.S. Senate in Oregon have been set.
Jeff Merkley has no Democratic opposition in his quest for another term in the United States Senate. Four Republican candidates will fight it out in the GOP Primary for the opportunity to face Merkley in November.
Jo Rae Perkins of Albany filed for Merkley’s seat in January. She originally had filed to be a candidate for the U.S. House in the 4th District. Her background includes being a property and casualty insurance agent. She has been the owner and designer for a jewelry company and is now semi-retired. She is on the Albany Human Relations Commission and has been involved with the Linn County Republican Party.
Paul Romero of Roseburg is the CEO of Youwalk Today. The new company launched in 2019. His filing also lists him as a Field Technician for ID Integration, doing contract work in Roseburg. The U.S. Navy veteran said he has been elected to precinct committee positions in Douglas, Deschutes, and Crook counties.
Robert Schwartz of Springfield lists his occupation as small business and fitness. He lists no prior governmental experience.
John Verbeek was the last person to file for the office. He did so last Friday. Verbeek lives in Portland and lists his occupation as Life Insurance and Strategies. He has been a precinct committee person since 2008.