Representative Mike Nearman faced the House today to determine if his actions during the Dec. 21 incident at the Oregon Capitol amounted to disorderly conduct.
A Conduct Committee of three Democrats and three Republicans voted unanimously to recommend expulsion. In response, the House stayed late Thursday, June 10, and voted to expel the representative – the first person to have been expelled in Oregon history. The vote was 59 – 1 with Nearman’s vote being the only against the resolution.
Nearman had faced calls for his resignation for the last five months, however those calls became louder when the video of him telling his constituents how to contact him and gain access to the Capitol recently resurfaced. This led the other 22 Republican Representatives to sign a letter to Nearman asking him to resign.
On Monday, Nearman told conservative radio host Lars Larson that he would force the House to vote him out rather than resigning, suggesting there would be an upside to being the first to have this happen.
Nearman still faces two legal charges from Marion County.
By Sally K Lehman
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