Republican senators who walked away from this year’s legislative session will be barred from running for reelection next year, according to Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade. The decision was made after months of speculation and is likely to be challenged in court by the GOP lawmakers.

Measure 113, which was passed by voters last year, was designed to curtail legislative walkouts by imposing serious penalties on lawmakers who accrue 10 or more unexcused absences in a single legislative session. Under the measure, any such politician would be banned from running for reelection or seeking election in the other chamber once their current term expires.

However, Republicans argue that the measure is flawed because it allows lawmakers to serve another term before the penalties take effect. They are planning to challenge the new ruling in the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Governor Tina Kotek, who wrangled with a Republican walkout as House speaker in 2020, agrees with Griffin-Valade that the voters intended for lawmakers who don’t show up for work to be held accountable. She believes the court will ultimately decide the matter.

~AI Summarization…