Oregon Senators' Bid for 2024 Run Rejected by Federal Judge

A federal judge has rejected a request from Oregon Republican state senators who boycotted the Legislature to be allowed on the ballot after their terms end. The senators had filed a federal lawsuit to challenge their disqualification from running for reelection under Measure 113, which bars legislators from seeking reelection after 10 or more unexcused absences. The judge ruled that the walkouts were an exercise of the senators' official power and not protected political protests, and that their disqualification was the intended effect of the measure. The Oregon Supreme Court is also hearing a separate challenge to the measure.