Jeff Merkley 2020? According to a CNN profile, the junior U.S. senator from Oregon could be considering a bid for the presidency, albeit quietly.

Merkley didn't confirm to the television network that he's considering a run for president. But neither did he flatly deny the possibility.

Merkley's stock has been rising since the 2016 presidential election, when he was the only U.S. senator to endorse Bernie Sanders during the primaries.

Merkley has also been a near-constant critic of President Donald Trump and his agenda, decrying the president's executive orders and legislation and voting against many of his cabinet nominees.

Perhaps the senator's most well-known public showing of Trump disapproval came when Merkley delivered a 15-hour speech from the Senate floor in an attempt to stall the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Even if Merkley is considering a presidential bid, it's early. Plus, Democrats are working to retake the U.S. House first -- a major challenge that will test the party's strength nationwide.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedman