Four Oregon GOP Senators now face reelection ban for walkout
Published 7:00 pm Tuesday, May 16, 2023
- Four Oregon Senators involved in a Republican-led walkout of the Senate have hit 10 unexcused absence as of Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Clockwise from top left: Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, Sen. Cedric Hayden, R-Roseburg, and Sen. Brian Boquist, I-Dallas. Boquist was originally elected as a Republican, but now identifies with the Independent Party.
SALEM — The Senate GOP walkout continued Tuesday, May 16, in Salem. For the 11th straight day, no quorum was established to meet.
Two Republicans senators attended the May 16 floor session of the Oregon Senate. Along with 16 Democrats, the tally of 18 senators present was two short of the required two-thirds quorum of the 30-member Senate.
Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, was in attendance. Anderson has only one unexcused absence — on Monday.
Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, was in attendance. He has four unexcused absences.
Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, is on a long term excused absence because of medical treatment.
The Senate’s next floor session is 10:30 on May 17.
With Sen. Cedrick Hayden, R-Roseburg, not in attendance, he joins three other senators with 10 absences that hit the limit in Measure 113.
No senators would hit the limit tomorrow if all Republicans do not attend. May 18 would see six GOP senators hit the 10-absence mark, including Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, of Bend, Sen. Bill Hansell, of Athena, Lynn Findley, of Vale, Suzanne Weber, of Tillamook, Kim Thatcher, of Keizer, and Art Robinson, of Cave Junction.
There is no Senate floor session scheduled for May 19 and the schedule for next week has not been posted.
