Federal Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction to Oregon Republican Senators Seeking Reelection After Walkout

A federal judge has denied a preliminary injunction to three Republican senators in Oregon who sought to run for reelection after participating in a six-week walkout. The judge's ruling came just before the Oregon Supreme Court was set to hear oral arguments in a separate state case involving senators who want to run for reelection despite a voter-approved law that penalizes lawmakers for participating in walkouts. The federal case can still proceed, but the judge indicated that she does not believe the plaintiffs will succeed in proving that the walkouts were constitutionally protected free speech. The state Supreme Court case hinges on the interpretation of a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022. Arguments in that case are scheduled for Thursday.