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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Kitzhaber Recall Efforts Could Prove Futile, For Now

Office of the Governor
File photo. At least two recall petitions have been filed against Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.

Advisers to the Republican defeated last year by Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber have filed a recall petition against him.

Senior staffers from the Dennis Richardson campaign submitted the paperwork Friday. A separate recall petition was filed Thursday by an Oregon City political activist.

It’s not clear whether the recall efforts are valid. Oregon state law says someone must hold office for six months before they can be subject to recall.

In John Kitzhaber's case, he became governor more than four years ago, but he only took the oath of office for a second term in a row last month, so if he gets six months from the beginning of his current term, that would mean no recall effort could start until July at the earliest.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s office says it will decide soon whether the recall efforts can proceed now.

The state ethics commission is looking into accusations the governor and First Lady used their offices for personal gain.