Nathan Vasquez Wins Spot At Multnomah County

In a surprising upset, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez has defeated incumbent progressive Mike Schmidt in the nonpartisan primary election. Vasquez, who previously served as a deputy prosecutor to Schmidt, ran on a tough-on-crime platform and received over 50% of the vote according to early returns. Schmidt, who came into office amid the national outcry for racial justice, conceded the election during a phone call with Vasquez.

"I want to thank [Schmidt] for his professionalism and service to our community," Vasquez wrote in a Facebook post. "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the DA’s office, with community partners, and with the public to help build a safer Multnomah County for all of us."

Schmidt, who took office just days before George Floyd's death and the subsequent protests, faced criticism for his progressive policies that focused on reducing incarceration rates and addressing social inequities in the criminal justice system. Vasquez, on the other hand, was endorsed by several police groups and positioned himself as a centrist candidate.

One of the major points of contention between the two candidates was their approach to prosecuting protesters. Schmidt had announced that his office would only prosecute those charged with deliberate property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person, citing the importance of protecting First Amendment rights. Vasquez, however, argued that this policy enabled criminal behavior and promised to be tougher on those who engaged in violent or destructive acts during protests.

Schmidt's support for Measure 110, which decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs, was another point of difference between the two candidates. While Schmidt and other progressive DA's had supported the measure as a way to address the systemic racism and over-incarceration in the criminal justice system, Vasquez saw it as a contributing factor to the spike in overdose fatalities and supported the state's decision to roll back the law earlier this year.

In his victory message, Vasquez assured the community that he was committed to ending open-air drug dealing and drug use and helping to connect individuals with treatment. He also expressed his desire to rebuild the broken relationship between the DA's office and the community and ensure that victims are the top priority.

Vasquez's win comes at a time when many progressive district attorneys are facing setbacks and backlash for their policies. Cities like San Francisco and Seattle, where similar candidates were elected, have seen increases in crime and public frustration. Schmidt's defeat in a liberal bastion like Portland highlights the growing support for a more traditional, tough-on-crime approach to criminal justice.

The future of Multnomah County's criminal justice system remains uncertain with the change in leadership. Schmidt, who championed a progressive agenda, will hand over the reins to Vasquez, whose promises of a safer community and prioritizing victims' rights have resonated with the electorate. It remains to be seen how Vasquez's policies will play out in Portland, a city that has been plagued by violence and protests for the past year.

In the wake of Vasquez's victory, there is hope that the community will see a shift towards stricter enforcement and accountability from the DA's office. However, there are also concerns about potential racial biases and a lack of focus on addressing systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Only time will tell how Vasquez's tenure as district attorney will impact the city and its residents.