Oregon Public Broadcasting

Senator-elect Jeff Merkley is making a road trip across rural parts of Oregon. As April Baer reports, Merkley wants to deliver several messages during the trip.

Merkley says his mission is to tell Oregonians about the new partnership in Washington, between himself and Senator Ron Wyden. And he'll hear their concerns about issues like civil liberties.

Merkley: "Certainly issues related to the integrity of the United States, and restoring respect for the Constitution, be it habeas corpus, protecting Americans against warrantless wiretapping, and inappropriate intrusion of the federal government."

Jeff Merkley's moving across territory that's not necessarily friendly.

Though he beat  Republican Senator Gordon Smith, it was a close race, with most rural counties voting for Smith, not Merkley. 

Most stops on the Senator-Elect's trip this week target places he lost.  The itinerary includes Eugene, Medford, Bend and LaGrande.

Merkley says he wants to let his  constituents know he's committed to a Hatfield tradition of public service,  a reference to one of Oregon's most famous Republican Senators.