Emails detail Oregon Capitol staff concern over Republican Sen. Brian Boquist's threats
An Oregon state senator's threats against the Senate president and the state police on the eve of a walkout by Senate Republicans in June sent a wave of fear through the Capitol.
Some who work in the marbled, domed building wept, expressing fear of returning to the job, emails obtained late Wednesday by The Associated Press show. Among protective measures that were considered: Escorting employees from their vehicles to their desks, creating secured work areas and even having state police at the dais in the Senate chamber.
Republican Sen. Brian Boquist warned on June 19 that if the state police were sent to force him to return during the walkout by GOP senators that they should "send bachelors and come heavily armed." He also told Senate President Peter Courtney that "hell is coming to visit you personally" if he sent the state police after him.
The threats by Boquist, a military veteran, deeply disturbed some people, the emails show. The messages, obtained through a public records request, were redacted to keep confidential the identities of those who expressed concerns and those who relayed them.
Read more: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/01/emails-detail-oregon-capitol-staff-concern-over-republican-sen-brian-boquists-threats/1889537001/
(Salem Statesman Journal)
