UPDATED: Republicans Challenge Monnes Anderson's Claims in Voters Pamphlet

Senator says her nursing license is now up to date, after claiming she didn't know it had expired

By TROY BRYNELSON

Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham) has come under fire this week for providing inaccurate information in the state voters pamphlet for primary and general elections this year: Republicans charge she shouldn't be listing her occupation as a registered nurse when her license to practice expired in 2009. 

“If Laurie Monnes Anderson intentionally misrepresented her status as a licensed Registered Nurse in the voter’s guide it would be a felony,” said Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day), 

It's against state law for a candidate to knowingly provide false information about his or her occupation in the voters pamphlet. 

Monnes Anderson, who for years worked as a public health nurse, tells WW she didn't know her license with the Oregon Board of Nursing had expired. 

“It was an oversight,” she said, “I always believed my license was current during all this time. As soon as I found out, boy, I started the process of reactivating my license immediately.” 

State records show her license expired on Dec. 30, 2009.

Monnes Anderson is seeking her third term in the Oregon Senate after serving two terms in the House. She faces a tough re-election race against Republican Scott Hansen in the Nov. 6 election.

UPDATED: Monnes Anderson said Monday that she has reactivated her nursing license with the Oregon Board of Nursing after Republicans pointed out it had lapsed—and that Monnes Anderson was still listing her occupation as a registered nurse.

Monnes Anderson, a former public health nurse, said in her statement that she has not seen patients since 2000.

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