Oregon Supreme Court Rules GOP Senators Who Staged Weekslong Walkout Cannot Seek Reelection

February 1, 2024 Politics, Republicans

The Oregon Capitol Chronicle reports:

In a unanimous decision, the court rejected arguments from five Republican senators that Measure 113, a voter-approved 2022 law meant to dissuade lawmakers from walking out and shutting down the legislative process, was poorly worded and would give them another term in office. Instead, the court agreed with state attorneys, who urged justices to consider voters’ intent with the 2022 law, which bars any lawmaker with 10 or more unexcused absences from serving another term.

The ruling means 10 Republican senators – one-third of the Senate – are ineligible for reelection. Two of the 10, Sens. Bill Hansell of Athena and Lynn Findley of Vale, already planned to retire. And four, including Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, must end their Senate careers – at least temporarily – in January. Knopp and Sens. Brian Boquist of Dallas, Dennis Linthicum of Klamath Falls and Art Robinson of Cave Junction all tried to file for reelection last year.

Read the full article. In 2020, Oregon Republicans literally fled the state to avoid arrest after walking out over a climate change bill. Their 2019 walkout led to threats of violence by a militia group and the closure of the state capitol. Photo: Oregon Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp.



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