Federal Judge Denies Republican Senators' Request to Run for Reelection After Walkout

A federal judge has denied a request by three Republican senators in Oregon to be restored to the ballot after they were barred from running for reelection due to their participation in a six-week walkout. The judge's ruling came just before the Oregon Supreme Court was set to hear arguments in a separate state case involving senators who want to run for reelection despite a voter-approved law punishing lawmakers who engage in walkouts. The judge stated that granting the injunction would effectively negate a lawfully enacted measure and expressed doubt that the plaintiffs would succeed in proving their claim that the walkout was constitutionally protected free speech. The state Supreme Court case will determine the interpretation of a constitutional amendment that disqualifies legislators from serving a subsequent term following more than nine unexcused absences in a session.