Oregon Senator Floyd Prozanski of Eugene survived a recall effort last week. Backers objected to legislation he sponsored that strengthens background checks for private gun sales. A petition drive fell short of required valid signatures.
Senate Bill 941 passed last session. Three other lawmakers who supported the bill were also targeted for recall. The effort against Prozanski got the farthest. He says it's unusual for so many lawmakers to be subject to recalls for political reasons.
Prozanski: "It's unfortunate that sometimes individuals who quote-on-quote may not get their way on a vote would reach to the threshold of what some people would call the nuclear option instead of working within the process that if you disagree with who's representing you, you should be seeking out other individuals to run as candidates."
Prozanski says the recall process should be used in cases of criminal activity or other behavior that makes a legislator unfit for office. He says there's been discussion in Salem of how to modify the recall process.
