Mike Nearman is an American politician who served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing the 23rd district, from January 2021 until his expulsion in June 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Political career
Nearman was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in the 2020 elections, succeeding former representative Jim Jacks. During his tenure, he served on several committees, including the Committee on Education and the Committee on Human Services and Housing.
Expulsion and criminal conviction
In December 2020, Nearman was filmed opening a side door to the Oregon State Capitol to allow a group of protestors, who were part of a larger demonstration against COVID‑19 restrictions, to enter the building without proper authorization. The incident was captured on video and subsequently reported by multiple news outlets.
In May 2021, a Multnomah County Circuit Court jury found Nearman guilty of official misconduct, a misdemeanor charge, for his actions at the Capitol. Following his conviction, the Oregon House of Representatives voted to expel Nearman on June 10 2021, marking the first expulsion in the chamber’s modern history. The vote was 59 in favor of expulsion and 1 against.
Sentencing and subsequent legal matters
After his conviction, Nearman was sentenced to six months in county jail, followed by a term of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution and court costs. Further legal proceedings related to the incident included a civil lawsuit filed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly seeking damages for the unauthorized entry.
Personal background
Insufficient Encyclopedic Information
Details regarding Nearman’s early life, education, and personal background are not extensively documented in publicly available, reliable sources. Consequently, specific information such as his date of birth, place of upbringing, and educational history remains limited.