From left: Justin Brecht, a senior policy analyst for the Senate Republican Caucus, and Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, talk about the readability rule that Republicans cited as a reason for skipping a floor session on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
This is a developing story and will be updated
Republican senators who participated in the longest walkout in state history won’t be able to seek reelection in 2024 or 2026, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
In a unanimous decision, the court rejected arguments from five Republican senators that 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.