Tina Kotek this year endorsed Ramiro Navarro Jr. after he entered the race for Oregon’s 21st House district. In 2011, Navarro pleaded guilty to dealing marijuana and to coercion after he threatened his wife that it was “the last time” she would see their son before abducting the child, court records show. Police later found a rifle and drug paraphernalia in Navarro’s car. He served 18 months in prison and was charged with first-degree child neglect.

Navarro is the latest Oregon Democrat revealed to have a criminal record. Last week, Navarro himself defended knowingly hiring a convicted pedophile as a field director for his campaign. In October, the former Democratic mayor of Beaverton pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of child pornography. Kotek has been accused of ignoring sexual harassment complaints while serving as state House speaker.

Navarro, who has called himself the “second-chance candidate,” violated parole after his release by showing up at a family birthday party, apparently stealing his wife’s car afterward. Police found Navarro’s prison ID card inside the stolen car later, but no charges were filed. His wife took out a restraining order on him after his first conviction, which he also violated in attending the party.

[Republicans have an outside shot at winning this race, thanks to a three-candidate race with two Democrats. If they can’t beat Kotek after this, well … — Ed]