U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) was enthusiastic about Saturday's announcement that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama chose U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his vice presidential running mate.

“The announcement of Joe Biden as Barack Obama’s running mate is terrific news,” Merkley, the state House speaker, said in a statement. “Senator Biden has been a strong voice for working Americans in the Senate.”

Merkley will be sharing the spotlight with Biden Wednesday night when they both get the chance to address the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Biden will speak as the party’s vice presidential nominee. Merkley will speak along with other Democratic Senate candidates, including  former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), U.S. Rep. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine).

“With a working majority in the Senate, we can work with Barack Obama and Joe Biden to bring change to America,” Merkley said.