Dems call for Peter Courtney to resign as Senate leader

Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney

 FILE PHOTO

An insurgency rising from within the ranks of the Democratic Party of Oregon poses a new challenge to the party's entrenched leadership.

The Multnomah and Yamhill county chapters of Democrats have each passed resolutions calling on Senate President Peter Courtney to step down for allegedly mishandling a sexual harassment scandal that roiled Salem, leading to a $1 million payout to nine victims last month.