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
Georgia QB Jaden Rashada sues Florida coach, others over failed $14M NIL deal
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida recruit and current Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada is sui2024-05-22Surviving inhabitants of top secret Soviet
The surviving inhabitants of a Soviet-era town in northeastern Kazakhstan where 456 bombs were deton2024-05-22Bad economy, nosy relatives: Young Chinese put off by Lunar New Year
By Lok Lee for BBC ChineseTourists walk past a dragon-shaped installation in Shijiazhuang, north Chi2024-05-22People from across the globe reveal the 'obvious signs that someone is an American'
People from across the globe are sharing how they spot Americans in a matter of seconds - based on e2024-05-22Biden 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 ga2024-05-22Simon Bridges to chair Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Simon Bridges Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas2024-05-22
atest comment