(GRANTS PASS) — Representative Christine Goodwin, R-Canyonville, is set to appear in court on April 5 following a lawsuit filed by voters in Josephine County questioning her residency.
According to a Josephine County Circuit Court document, the hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Family Court in Grants Pass.
Goodwin has refuted the allegations, asserting that such lawsuits are often employed as a tactic by the opposing party when they perceive they may not win an election. While currently serving in the House, Goodwin is also in the running for Senate District 2 against Republican candidate Noah Robinson in the upcoming May primary.
Responding to the lawsuit filed last week, Goodwin stated, “I don’t live in a wine tasting room. I have a house on the Falk ranch in Canyonville. This is a real property, not a phony story as alleged. Outdated information has been offered in the complaint”.
Goodwin maintains that her Canyonville address is her legal residence, where she is registered to vote. She has asserted that she has voted from this address since 2021, and it is listed on her Oregon Driver License.
In a document provided by Goodwin, she stated, “Canyonville is my home community in my district. I receive mail, and have my bank, my pharmacy, my insurance office in Canyonville. I use my residence on the ranch as my home/district office”.
While acknowledging that she also owns a home in Tri City, Goodwin pointed out that Oregon law permits a Legislator to maintain more than one residence. She and her husband have owned numerous properties in the state over many years.
Goodwin emphasized, “This election should not be determined by lies. The voters should decide who will be their next Senator based on merits and voting records of candidates”. She added, “Noah Robinson has never been elected to anything and has no voting record”.
Upon filing for Senate, Goodwin reported contacting nine county commissioners in the district. She claimed that all but two supported her candidacy wholeheartedly, citing her reputation in Salem as a solid conservative.
In her document, Goodwin criticized two Josephine County Commissioners who, she alleged, had predetermined that a Robinson should be Senator, regardless of their performance. One of these commissioners, John West, was the lead filer in the lawsuit against the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.
