Oregon: State GOP file new recall effort against Governor

The Oregon Republicans are planning another attempt trying to recall Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D). Last year, two attempts, including one led by Republican leaders, both failed.

Petitioners need to hand in 280,050 valid signatures. Last year, the GOP claims to have fallen short by 10%, though since they were not checked, the number is not particularly useful. A second petitin claimed to have 23,926 pages of signatures, but clearly missed the total.

There are two other attempted recalls based on the pandemic shutdown. Last year's recall effort was about climate change, so this does seem quite clearly a political effort. Brown herself is term limited.

Bill Currier, the chairman of the State Republican Party, filed the original recall papers against Governor Kate Brown (D). Another petition was also filed by a local resident, focusing on homeless issues.

Oregon, the first state to adopt the recall for state-level officials way back in 1908, has had recalls against three state legislators, but never a Governor. Brown actually got the job when her predecessor John Kitzhaber faced a recall threat.

What is perhaps most noteworthy is that Oregon's recall law does not provide for the election of a replacement. Replacements are instead "filed immediately in the manner provided by law for filing a vacancy in that office arising from any other cause." 

This has led to serious questions of who would replace Brown.