State Sen. Tim Knopp, of Bend, leader of the minority Republicans in the Oregon Senate, files as a candidate for for the 2024 primary election on Thursday at the state elections offices in Salem. 

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, officially filed for reelection Thursday, seeking to clinch a fourth term in Senate District 27.

Knopp filled out 2024 primary election candidate filing paperwork Thursday morning at the Secretary of State’s office in Salem, according to a press release, despite some partisan debate as to whether he can run for reelection.

Knopp and several other state senators passed an unexcused-absence threshold during the 42-day Senate walkout this spring. That threshold was established by voters under Measure 113, which bars lawmakers who had more than 10 unexcused absences from running for reelection.

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Secretary of State Lavonne Griffin-Valade said in August Knopp and other legislators who passed the threshold wouldn’t be allowed to run. Knopp holds firm that his reelection campaign is not only legally permissible but also necessary.

“The clear language of Measure 113 allows me to run one more time.” Knopp said in the release. “Oregonians are fed up with the ‘tyranny of the majority’ over the past decades.”

Knopp has consistently defended the record-breaking legislative walkout this spring that ended only when Democrats agreed to pare down abortion, transgender care and gun control legislation.

Before the 2024 primary election, Knopp said homelessness and housing affordability will be among his priorities during the legislative session.

“Cities have failed to address homelessness and housing affordability across Oregon,” Knopp said in the news release. “Senate Republicans will be bringing these issues back to the 2024 session, since Senate Democrats failed to pass these needed changes in the 2023 session.”

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Knopp, who has held his seat since 2012, will not be not running unopposed. Bend City Councilor Anthony Broadman announced his Democratic campaign for Knopp’s seat earlier in September.

Broadman leads Knopp in funding with almost $25,000 in contributions since May compared to the Republican Leader’s $6,000, according to the Secretary of State’s Office campaign finance database.

The two are currently running unopposed in their respective party primaries. Thursday was the first day to officially file as a candidate with the Secretary of State’s Office. Filing is open through March.