The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that 10 Republican state senators who staged a lengthy walkout last year to block bills on abortion, transgender health care, and gun rights cannot run for re-election.
This decision upholds the secretary of state’s disqualification of the senators under a voter-approved measure, Measure 113, which aims to prevent such boycotts.
The walkout lasted six weeks, setting a state record and stalling numerous bills.
“We obviously disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling,” Sen. Tim Knopp said. “But more importantly, we are deeply disturbed by the chilling impact this decision will have to crush dissent.”
The senators’ lawsuit against the secretary of state’s decision was unsuccessful.
“Today’s ruling by the Oregon Supreme Court means that legislators and the public now know how Measure 113 will be applied, and that is good for our state,” Democratic Senate President Rob Wagner stated.
“Those other materials expressly and uniformly informed voters that the amendment would apply to a legislator’s immediate next terms of office, indicating that the voters so understood and intended that meaning,” the justices wrote.
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