Oregon Republicans nominate ousted lawmaker who coached rioters on state Capitol breach
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Oregon Republicans nominated former Rep. Mike Nearman to retake the seat he was just expelled from, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.
The big picture: Nearman was ousted by Oregon Lawmakers after a video emerged that appeared to show him coaching right-wing demonstrators on how to breach the state Capitol last year.
- Nearman is currently facing charges of official misconduct and criminal trespass.
- His nomination doesn't guarantee he'll take back the vacate house seat. That decision will be made by county commissioners in Polk, Yamhill, Marion and Benton counties, per OPB. There are several other nominees commissioners will consider.
What they're saying: “I’m humbled that my fellow Precinct Committee-persons voted overwhelmingly to return me to the House as their representative,” Nearman said, per OPB.
- “The fact that they chose me shows that they value someone with courage and principles that will stand up to Democrats, the media and even their own party to do what is right."
- Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope appeared to throw cold water on the idea he'd send Nearman back to the House.
- "I will honor and respect the integrity of the decision of the House members, especially those from the Republican party that took considerable political risk to place their vote to expel," Pope said in an email to OPB.
- “We can all work toward allowing another community member from HD23 to be recognized to represent in the interim and if Mr. Nearman wants to run in 2022 he can certainly take his shot at it," he added.
The bottom line: The county commissioners must meet to hear from candidates and make their appointment by July 12.
Go deeper: Oregon lawmaker expelled from office for helping rioters breach state Capitol
