With Christmas and the craziness going on in the world, it may have been easy to miss. On Dec. 14, Republican senators went before the Oregon Supreme Court arguing that they should not be barred from running for office until after the 2028 election.

In 2022, voters passed Measure 113 that disqualified legislators who had 10 or more unexcused absences in a single session from reelection “for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.” Democrats and their allies are now saying that’s not really what they meant.

Of the 10 senators who constitutionally walked out of session earlier this year, six of them have terms that expire in January 2025, the remaining four in January 2027. Democrats, including Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, argue that those six are barred from running in 2024. But that’s not what the Measure 113 says — it says, “after their current term is completed.” Their term is not completed until 2025, making them ineligible to run in 2028, not in 2024.

In contracts, when words are clear and unambiguous, the intention of the parties is irrelevant. The same holds true with Measure 113 — the words are clear and unambiguous. There is no other interpretation without changing the actual words.

The Oregon Supreme Court is now deciding on whether our Republican senators can run for reelection in the upcoming election. The justices should do the right thing and follow the words of Measure 113.

Tracy Honl

Warrenton