GOP representatives could walk out over redistricting

By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

SALEM – The Oregon House of Representatives special redistricting session is delayed until Saturday morning. That came after it was reported that a person testing positive for COVID-19 had attended the first day of the session Monday. Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) says his party is prepared to walk out and deny a quorum if the Democrats aren’t willing to compromise on the map for a new congressional district.

“We genuinely believe those maps have been gerrymandered,” Smith said. “That vote really comes down to control of our country.”

Most political maps of Oregon color it blue, but Smith said that’s not accurate.

“House Republicans, including myself, are saying we’re not going to support those maps until they draw them in a fair way that really recognizes Oregon is a purple state,” he said. “We’re not completely blue. We’re not one party. We have a lot of folks out there that are in the middle. We want to make sure when that new seat is created, we want to make sure we represent Oregonians.”