PRESS RELEASE

OREGON HOUSE DEMOCRATS

For Immediate Release For more information,

Contact: June 10, 2021 Hannah Kurowski: Hannah.Kurowski@oregonlegislature.gov

House Expels Mike Nearman for Coordinated Breach of Capitol After coordinating with armed rioters to breach the Capitol, the House voted 59-1 to expel Nearman from office, making him the first member in the Legislature’s history to be expelled

Salem, OR—Today the Oregon State Legislature voted to expel former Representative Mike Nearman (R-Polk County) from office in a 59-1 vote. On December 21, 2020, the former Representative opened State Capitol doors to armed white supremacist rioters who clashed with law enforcement while breaking into the building. Last week, new footage surfaced showing that Nearman clearly planned and coordinated the Capitol breach.

“The House took the appropriate action tonight given the gravity of former Representative Nearman’s blatant actions,” said House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner (D-Northeast Portland). “He caused a genuine safety risk for every single person in the building, especially to our Jewish and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) legislators and Capitol staff. In the final weeks of this session, we will continue doing the people’s work and ensure that we are providing relief to the Oregonians who are hurting most.”

Prior to today’s vote, the bipartisan House Special Committee on December 21, 2020 unanimously approved House Resolution 3, which resolved that Nearman engaged in disorderly behavior and should be expelled from the Legislature.

“It’s impossible to overstate the seriousness of what took place on December 21,” said Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene), who chaired the Special Committee. “The committee that approved this expulsion resolution conducted a fair process that took into account all available facts and evidence. Due process is essential given the significance of today’s vote, and the committee acted accordingly.”

After initial footage was released in January showed Nearman opening the door to armed rioters, the Speaker, Majority Leader, and many House Democrats called for his resignation. In May, both offices echoed calls for the former Representative to resign following first-degree and second-degree criminal charges against Nearman.

“It’s important to remember that we were in the Capitol that day because Oregonians needed critical pandemic-related aid, funding and programs,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), member of the Special Committee. “This was the worst point of the pandemic. We were regularly seeing well over a thousand case a day and vaccines weren’t available yet. Not only did Nearman put every one of us in harm’s way, but he put all of this work to help Oregonians at risk.” This is the first time in the Legislature’s history that a sitting member has been removed from office.

##