Nathan Vasquez, a career prosecutor, has won the race to become Multnomah County's next district attorney, defeating incumbent Mike Schmidt. Vasquez plans to focus on prosecuting homicide cases and preparing for his transition to office, which he will officially take over in January. The election results reflect voter dissatisfaction with public safety and Schmidt's management, leading to a significant shift in leadership. Vasquez aims to bring back former prosecutors and prioritize justice reform while valuing victims.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has been ousted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez in a primary challenge. Schmidt, who took office during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 protests, had a policy of not prosecuting many arrested during demonstrations. Vasquez's platform focused on addressing public safety concerns related to drug decriminalization and increasing homelessness.
Incumbent Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt conceded to challenger Nathan Vasquez after vote counts showed Vasquez maintaining a significant lead. Key county commissioner races are also heading towards runoffs, with Sam Adams narrowly leading Jessie Burke in District 2 and Meghan Moyer and Vadim Mozyrsky likely facing off in District 1. Voter turnout is currently at 30.61%, and the $380 million Metro zoo bond measure is passing by a smaller margin in Multnomah County compared to neighboring counties.
Nathan Vasquez, the newly elected Multnomah County District Attorney, aims to address the fentanyl crisis and end open-air drug dealing as his top priorities upon taking office. Vasquez, who ran a tough-on-crime campaign, unseated incumbent Mike Schmidt in the primary election. Schmidt, known for his progressive policies, conceded and committed to a smooth transition. Vasquez emphasized his focus on crime victims and community collaboration to achieve his goals.
Progressive prosecutor Mike Schmidt lost his seat to Nathan Vasquez, a deputy district attorney, in Portland, Oregon. Vasquez, who campaigned on a platform of tougher crime prosecution, blamed Schmidt for the city's recent issues with drugs and crime. This shift reflects a broader trend of voters in West Coast cities favoring candidates who promise stricter law enforcement.
Nathan Vasquez, a career prosecutor, has defeated incumbent Mike Schmidt in the Multnomah County District Attorney race, securing 54% of the vote. Vasquez's campaign focused on public safety and crime victim advocacy, while Schmidt, a progressive DA, faced criticism and internal opposition. Despite Schmidt's late surge in votes, The Oregonian/OregonLive projects Vasquez's victory. Schmidt has conceded and pledged a smooth transition.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez is on track to unseat his boss, Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt, according to a map showing where each candidate performed best in the county.
Multnomah County voters rejected incumbent District Attorney Mike Schmidt in favor of his deputy district attorney, Nathan Vasquez, who secured 56% of the vote. Schmidt's progressive ideas on prosecuting crime faced criticism amidst issues of homelessness, drug use, and gun violence in the county. Vasquez, with over 20 years of prosecutorial experience, emphasized a commitment to addressing these challenges and prioritizing victim advocacy. Despite initial support, Schmidt's tenure was marked by controversy, including his decision not to prosecute low-level crimes committed during racial-justice protests. While Schmidt did not concede, political analysts indicated a clear trend favoring Vasquez's victory.
Nathan Vasquez leads in the race for Multnomah County District Attorney, potentially unseating incumbent Mike Schmidt, who has faced criticism for his progressive reforms amid rising crime rates. Vasquez, promising stricter law enforcement, has garnered 58% of the vote in early returns. Both candidates raised over $1 million in a low-turnout election.
