BEND, OR -- Another Republican candidate for Bend’s Senate seat has been deemed ineligible by the state Elections Division. Incumbent Senator Tim Knopp can’t run due to last year’s walkout. He endorsed Shannon Monihan, but the Secretary of State’s office now says Monihan hasn’t lived in the district long enough. 

In December, Monihan moved from Senate District 28 into District 27’s boundary. She announced her intent to run for Knopp's seat in early January. However, a candidate must live inside the district for one year prior to the election. That means Monihan moved six weeks too late to quailify for the 2024 election, according to a letter from the Secretary of State’s Office dated March first, obtained by KBND News. 

Monihan was the executive director of the Downtown Bend Business Association. But, a note on their website says she no longer works there, effective February 29.

Bend City Councilor Anthony Broadman is now the only candidate officially in the race for Senate District 27. He's running as a Democrat. Broadman tells KBND News, “Nothing really changes for us. My job is to fight for working families, ensure public safety, ensure our region is safe from catastrophic wildfire and crime. I've been in the race since September." He adds, "I'm focused on doing the job that the voters put me in place to do on the city council and doing the job that I hope to do for Senate District 27 in Salem.”

Monihan did not respond to a request for comment. However, a spokesperson from her campaign says she doesn't plan to appeal the Secretary of State's ruling and Republicans are focused on finding another candidate. 

The filing deadline is Tuesday, March 12th.