The Oregon Supreme Court has disqualified 10 out of the state’s 11 Republican senators from running for reelection in a move that critics decry as authoritarian and just plain wrong.
The court issued the ruling Thursday in a decision that upheld left-wing Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade’s original order to disqualify the senators from the ballot.
She issued the order after Oregon voters in 2022 passed Measure 113, which amended the state constitution to prohibit lawmakers from running for re-election if they accumulate over 10 unexcused absences.
The Oregonian calls Measure 113, Legislator absences ballot measure: Passes.
Ballot Measure 113 will amend the Oregon Constitution to prevent lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences from serving their next elected term in office. pic.twitter.com/OyECoJFSLG
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) November 9, 2022
Measure 113 was specifically designed to punish the state’s Republican senators for staging a boycott in 2023 to block passage of far-left bills pertaining to abortion, gun control, and “transgender rights.”
“Raising objections over a raft of Democratic proposals, 10 Senate Republicans walked away from the 2023 session for more than 40 days, returning only after they’d secured concessions,” according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
It was similar to a stunt Texas Democrats pulled years ago when they flew out of town to prevent a quorum ahead of the anticipated passage of a voter integrity bill.
Except, unlike these Oregon Republicans, the Democrats in Texas were predictably never punished for their shenanigans.
‘Cowards’: Texas Dems caught gloating in private jet with a case of beer as they abscond their duties https://t.co/NhGC8GPC1T
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) July 14, 2021
After Oregon Secretary of State Griffin-Valade issued the order barring the Republicans from running, Sens. Tim Knopp, Daniel Bonham, Suzanne Weber, Dennis Linthicum, and Lynn Findley filed suit.
“Before the State Supreme Court, they contended that the new restrictions allowed senators to serve one more term after their current term expired,” according to The New York Times. “But the justices disagreed, ruling that the secretary of state had been correct in preventing them from running even in the next election.”
As a result, six of the ten will be removed from this year’s electoral ballot. The names of the other four will likewise be barred from the ballot when they come up for reelection in 2026.
Griffin-Valade, a rabid Democrat, was ecstatic.
“I’ve said from the beginning my intention was to support the will of the voters,” she said in a statement. “It was clear to me that voters intended for legislators with a certain number of absences in a legislative session to be immediately disqualified from seeking re-election.”
Today, the Oregon Supreme Court made a decision regarding Measure 113. We appreciate the clarity provided by the court.
Read the press release: https://t.co/POVNIajxC8
— OR Secretary of State’s office (@OregonSOS) February 1, 2024
Republicans, meanwhile, were outraged.
“We obviously disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling. But more importantly, we are deeply disturbed by the chilling impact this decision will have to crush dissent,” Oregon state Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp said in a statement.
“I’m disappointed but can’t say I’m surprised that a court of judges appointed solely by [former] Governor [Kate] Brown and [current] Governor [Tina] Kotek would rule in favor of political rhetoric rather than their own precedent,” state Sen. Suzanne Weber added.
These sentiments appear to be shared by Republican voters.
Observe:
If you can’t win fair, cheat.
— Xring3 firearms ™ (@Tactical_review) February 1, 2024
And these people say they believe in democracy.
— Thomas La Rose (@larose736) February 1, 2024
What incredible lawlessness…. by supposed judges. Which they aren’t
— CARMEL Weisberg (@CarmelLyn1951) February 1, 2024
Democrat stunts like this yet they promise the 2020 election wasn’t rigged.
— Old Memer (@wiseoldmeme) February 1, 2024
Sad in Oregon, TAXPAYERS Don’t get the CHOICE who they want to vote into office. Sounds like Communism
— Objective Opinion (@ObjectiveOpin8) February 1, 2024
When they can’t win policy effort through Normal channels, proposals, signatures and the process through the legislature, and executive fiat becomes toxic, they now turn the judiciary into the greatest source of power. This is grotesque perversion of our systems.
— realMoeMenaceTrump (@MoeMenaceReborn) February 1, 2024
There is a catch to all this, though.
Now that the Republican senators have been barred from running for reelection, they no longer have any incentive to show up to work, as noted by Knopp in a statement issued before Thursday’s ruling.
“I think we win either way, quite frankly,” he said. “If the court sides with us, it’s a clear victory. If it doesn’t, I think we still win because our members literally have no reason to show up. And so in order for them to show up, they’re going to want to see that they’re going to be able to make a difference.”
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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