ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The process to replace outgoing Sen. Jeff Kruse will be complicated--but also relatively swift.
Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman outlined the process in which he'll play a major part.
Related stories:
Report: Kruse engaged in offensive conduct
Second state senator accuses Sen. Kruse of sexual harassment
State treasurer calls for Sen. Kruse to resign
State senator files formal complaint against Sen. Kruse
Creator of the Senator Kruse petition said he did it for his mother
Senator Kruse denies masturbating in video posted on YouTube
Roseburg community is shocked to hear the allegations against Senator Kruse
State senator from Roseburg accused of inappropriate touching
Freeman, a Republican, says it will start when Secretary of State Dennis Richardson declares a vacancy in senate District 1 which includes parts of five counties: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson.
Republican party officials from every precinct in the district (known as committeemen and committeewomen) will come together and nominate a slate of 3-5 candidates.
After that, commissioners from the five counties will cast their individual votes for one of the candidates. The commissioners' votes are weighted based on the number of District 1 voters in their respective counties. For example, Freeman says, if 45 percent of Douglas County is in District 1, then the three Douglas County commissioners would each get about 1/7th of a vote.
"The secretary of state does all the math," Freeman said.
The process must be completed within 30 days, Freeman said.
Whoever is picked will serve until the next election, unless a special election is held first. That determination will be made by the secretary of state based on the election calendar and the appropriate laws, Freeman said.
