GOP Candidate Sues Secretary of State Over Voter’s Pamphlet

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Cornelius Swart, GoLocal PDX Director of Content

A Republican candidate for governor has filed a federal lawsuit against the Oregon Secretary of State, after all his information failed to appear on the voter’s pamphlet, according to court documents.

Darren Karr, a resident of West Linn, filed a lawsuit in United States District Court claiming that Secretary of State Kate Brown “ made a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement” about him, according to a court filing posted on Karr’s website on Sept 3.

Karr is representing himself in the suit.

He ran for the Republican nomination of Governor in May. In March, Karr registered his candidacy and voter’s pamphlet statement online through ORESTAR by the posted deadlines, documents state.

But when the voters’ pamphlet was released he was listed “with an asterisk next to his name, which read, ‘Candidate chose not to submit a voter’s pamphlet
statement,’” according to court filings.

Also, the “Voters’ Pamphlet was published on the official state website with Plaintiff’s name excluded. Plaintiff was not listed as a candidate,” documents state.

The suit, which alleges negligence, defamation, misrepresentation and deprivation of rights, demands a jury trial.

The secretary of state's office confirmed it had recieved a copy of the suit, according to state spokesman Tony Green.

Karr lost the nomination to Dennis Richardson. He claims that his reputation was damaged as well as his ability to raise funds for the election.

Earlier this year, Karr filed a tort claim against the state. Only July 28, Oregon's Department of Administrative Services wrote a letter to Karr stating that an internal investigation found "no liability on the part of the State of Oregon, its officers, agents, or employees with regard to the cause of any loss or injury that you have alleged."

Karr is seeking damages for attorney fees, court fees, and related fees, an award “equal to the amount of four years of the Governor’s salary and benefits” and “equitable relief as may be available under law.”