Shortly after his victory over Steve Novick in the U.S. Senate race's Democratic primary, Jeff Merkley got some words of encouragement from Sen. Charles Schumer, the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

After acknowledging that voters chose from "an impressive field of candidates," Schumer's statement looks toward the general election campaign against incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith:

"Gordon Smith made clear that he was afraid to run against Jeff Merkley when he launched negative attack ads against him before the primary was even finished. But voters rejected Smith's false attacks today and chose a nominee who has the courage and integrity to take on the special interests and bring change to Washington. Jeff Merkley can win in November, and I hope the party will now unite behind his candidacy."

Merkley, the Speaker of the Oregon state House, beat Novick by 45 percent to 41 percent, according to the Secretary of State's unofficial results.