Centrist challenger defeats progressive DA in Portland, CNN projects
CNN
Portland’s progressive district attorney, Mike Schmidt, has been defeated in his bid for reelection by one of his deputies who styled himself as being tougher on crime.
Portland’s progressive district attorney, Mike Schmidt, has been defeated in his bid for reelection by one of his deputies, who styled himself as being tougher on crime, CNN projects. It’s the third time in as many years that a major West Coast city has ousted its DA over apparent concerns about crime. Portland’s vote this week is particularly notable given the unrest in the city following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in the summer of 2020 and a recent surge in drug overdoses that prompted the declaration of a state of emergency. “It is looking as if I will not be serving another four years as Multnomah County District Attorney,” Schmidt said in a statement obtained by CNN affiliate KOIN. “I have called Nathan Vasquez to congratulate him on his victory.” While results in Tuesday’s nonpartisan election have not been certified, unofficial results on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website as of 10:00 a.m. ET Friday showed Vasquez ahead of Schmidt, 53.3% to 46.3%. Vasquez, a prosecutor in Multnomah County since 2001, made public safety a key component of his campaign for office. “We must take lawless behavior seriously and enforce our laws,” his campaign platform said. “Even ‘petty’ crimes, like theft, vandalism, and littering, public use of illicit drugs and public highs, all contribute to the overall feeling of safety and wellbeing of a community.” Vasquez told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday that the community in Portland is still very progressive and is not abandoning those values with his election.
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