April 1, 2024 3:40 a.m.

A lawsuit filed against the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, claiming that State Representative Christine Goodwin does not live within the boundary of Senate District 2 has been dismissed, at least until after the May primary election.

Attorney for the plaintiffs Steven Joncus filed a voluntary dismissal late Friday, saying “However now that the deadline for keeping her off the ballot has passed, Oregon statutes do not provide a remedy until after the primary election”. Joncus said plaintiffs will renew their challenge to Goodwin’s qualifications should she win a majority of votes in the May Primary Election.

Joncus represents Josephine County Commissioner John West and a group of Grants Pass area residents who are the plaintiffs in the case.  They allege that Goodwin does not live in Canyonville, but rather at her long-time residence in the Tri City area, which is not in House District 4 or Senate District 2.

Goodwin is facing Noah Robinson in the Republican Primary. He is the son of Art Robinson, who was deemed ineligible for another term, after being part of the GOP walkout during the 2023 legislative session.

In a press release announcing the dropping of the lawsuit, Goodwin said, “I have said from the beginning that this lawsuit was a political stunt to help a candidate who doesn’t think he can beat me in a fair fight”. Goodwin said, “I’m glad that Southern Oregon voters will be given the choice to elect me to represent them in the Senate as they have already done in the House”.