Progressive prosecutor in Portland, Oregon, seeks to fend off tough
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In Oregon’s Multnomah County, home to Portland, the progressive district attorney who took office during the social justice movement of 2020 is being challenged by a candidate vowing to be tough on crime, highlighting the growing pressure on liberal prosecutors across the U.S. amid voter concerns over public drug use and disorder.
District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s term began as the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota sparked nightly protests in Portland and a larger national conversation about criminal justice reform. But in the past four years, progressive DAs and candidates in liberal bastions ranging from the San Francisco Bay Area to Seattle have faced setbacks as frustrations over public safety and homelessness have risen.
Now, political experts are looking to Portland to see whether such issues could spur a similar shift in the city’s electorate. Schmidt is being challenged by one of his own deputies, Nathan Vasquez, a prosecutor in that office for over 20 years.
Related articles
Devers sets Red Sox record by homering in his 6th consecutive game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Boston Rex Sox star Rafael Devers set a team record when he homered for2024-05-22I'm a vet and here are my 5 unpopular opinions about pet ownership
A British vet has revealed five opinions he has about pet ownership - and he says they may be unpopu2024-05-22Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for May delivery fell 5 cents to $85.36 per barrel Tuesday. Brent crude for2024-05-22Woman pleads guilty for role in 4 slayings stemming from custody dispute, sentenced to life
ATHENS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee woman charged in the slayings of four people stemming from a custod2024-05-22Biden to release 1 million barrels of gasoline in bid to lower prices at pump
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of ga2024-05-22Citing safety, USC cancels speech by valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California has canceled a commencement speech by its 22024-05-22
atest comment