June 11, 2021 4:00 a.m.
Thursday night the Oregon House voted 59-1 to expel Representative Mike Nearman from office on a 59-1 vote.
A release from the Oregon House Democrats said on December 21st, 2020, Nearman opened the State Capitol doors to demonstrators, some of whom were armed, while a Special Session of the Oregon State Legislature was taking place. Last week new video footage surfaced allegedly showing Nearman talking with a group about how the Capitol could be breached, with his assistance.
House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner said, “The House took the appropriate action tonight given the gravity for former Representative Nearman’s blatant actions”. Smith Warner said Nearman caused a genuine safety risk for every single person in the building.
This is the first time in the history of the Oregon State Legislature that a sitting member has been removed from office.
Nearman has represented a rural district west of Salem. His seat will likely remain vacant for the rest of this legislative session.