Democratic House Majority Leader Val Hoyle has announced she is leaving her post amid plans to possibly run for secretary of state in 2016. Whether that timing is coincidental or not is up for debate: Hoyle was under fire for her co-sponsorship of SB 941, the legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown in May that calls for universal background checks.
Gun shop owner Jason Thiesfeld had launched a recall effort against Hoyle and had until July 13 to obtain 3,600 signatures. But her resignation was victory enough.
“Knowing that she will not be in the House leadership for this winter’s short session gives me the confidence to withdraw my petition and not put the citizens of our state, district and county through the expense or turmoil of a recall election,” Thiesfeld said.
Recall campaigns are still underway against three other lawmakers: Sen. Chuck Riley, Sen. Floyd Prozanski and Rep. Susan McLain.
