MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – When it comes to a possible run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Jeff Merkley says "we'll leave the future to the future."

The Oregon senator's comments came in an interview minutes before he headlined a meeting Saturday of the New Hampshire Democratic Party's executive committee.

Merkley's visit to New Hampshire – which traditionally holds the first primary in the race for White House – was his first since the 2016 election. And it sparked additional speculation that he's mulling a 2020 bid for his party's presidential nomination.

The senator demurred when asked a couple of times about his mindset regarding a possible White House run.

"I'm keeping the option open but I'm completely focused on driving the blue wave this year," he said.

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley, who invited Merkley to address the state party meeting, said he thinks the senator's "very serious about considering" a 2020 run.

"He brings a perspective of being more of a grassroots organizer and community leader," added Buckley, who's also a member of the national Democratic Party's executive committee. "I think his experiences and perspective are very much needed on the national stage."

Prior to his address, Merkley met with the leadership of the New Hampshire Young Democrats as well as top supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont 2016 campaign in New Hampshire. Merkley was the only Democrat in the Senate to endorse Sanders' White House campaign.

"I have just enormous respect for Bernie," Merkley said.

Sanders convincingly won the state's 2016 Democratic presidential primary, launching him into an epic battle against eventual nominee Hillary Clinton. That victory also emboldened his New Hampshire supporters, some of whom now have leadership roles in the state party.

In his 15 minute speech to the state party's executive committee, Merkley applauded New Hampshire for being the"first state outside the court system to establish marriage quality."

And he complimented the state for having an expanded Medicaid system. Discussing health care, Merkley pushed for a Medicare for all system. And on the environment, he urged the crowd "to fight to create a transition over the next couple of decades to 100% clean and renewable energy."

Later, Merkley was a featured guest at "Citizen Action Against Gerrymandering" forum at the University of New Hampshire School of Law in Concord. The event was sponsored by several progressive groups.

The senator told The Oregonian/OregonLive that "there are three things that are really, really, corrupting our national politics. One is gerrymandering. One is voter suppression. And one is Citizens United money in our political elections. We've got to take on those three things to restore the vision of the voice of the people."

-- Paul Steinhauser