An Oregon District Attorney has dual functions, as prosecuting attorney and law officer of the state and counties. District Attorneys serve as the public prosecutor, represent the state in criminal proceedings, and initiate proceedings for punishable offenses. They enforce child support orders, represent the state in juvenile matters, and undertake inquests into the cause and manner of certain deaths. Though elected by county voters, the District Attorney is a state officer whose salary is paid by the state, sometimes receiving a supplementary stipend from the county. Salaries range from $131,000 to $148,000. In most cases, a District Attorney is prohibited from privately practicing law. District Attorneys must be U.S. citizens, registered voters, and residents of the state. They must have been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Oregon.Term: 4 years. The position is nonpartisan.The League of Women Voters of Portland conducted a candidate forum for this race. The video may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/aiWLwMakCKc?si=pMp4r-6I9W7ctC.
Town Where You Live
Portland, OR
Your Experience/Qualifications
Previously Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney and Previously Oregon Criminal Justice Commission Director
County
Multnomah County
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
1. Accomplishments:
I partnered with police to reduce auto theft, and led on a state law change to fix Measure 110 and stop public drug use. And I’m standing up to the gun lobbyists and partnering with OHSU to study gun violence as the major public health epidemic that it is.
2. Supporters:
I’m proud to be endorsed by trusted progressives- from Willamette Women Democrats and Basic Rights PAC, to Former Governor Barbara Roberts and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.
Meanwhile, my opponent, Nathan Vasquez, takes money from NRA champion Betsy Johnson and donors with ties to MAGA extremists.
3. Platform:
I’m the only candidate in the race with a clear platform. Read more at mikeschmidtforda.com/priorities
I’ve proudly partnered with police, launching an auto theft task force which reduced auto thefts, and a retail theft task force to crack down on shoplifting crime rings. I helped secure funding for Portland Police to stop dangerous street races. The District Attorney and the Portland Police must work together to keep us safe- and they are also separate entities for a reason. They are part of a system of checks and balances that prevents corruption of power. I believe we need to support our dedicated police officers who serve the community and keep us safe, and we also must hold our police to the highest standard, demanding full accountability for officers who break the law and violate their powers- because nobody is above the law.
In my second term I will focus on these priorities:
Working with police to enforce new laws against open public drug use and get people off the street and into treatment.
Working to reduce gun violence through both prosecution and prevention.
Building new programs focused on helping domestic violence survivors.
Rejecting Trump & MAGA extremists by protecting immigrant communities and prosecuting hate crimes.
Expanding groundbreaking treatment courts I started in my first term, which are proven to prevent future crimes.
Standing up for abortion rights- regardless of who is elected President and if MAGA Republicans pass a national abortion ban.
Contact Phone
971-404-9673
Town Where You Live
Portland, OR
Your Experience/Qualifications
Lewis and Clark Law School, JD; University of California, Davis, B.S.; Since 2001, Nathan has been employed as a prosecutor at MCDA, having prosecuted nearly every type of crime - from misdemeanor trespass to aggravated homicide. The vast majority of his career has been dedicated to 'person crimes', working directly with victims of violent crimes and their families, doing all he could to provide them justice and closure during the worst moments of their lives.
County
Multnomah
Term
2025-2028
1. How many years of experience do the candidates have standing up for victims?
2. How many types/levels of crime have the candidates prosecuted cases?
3. When was the last case prosecuted?
While the Portland Police Bureau and the District Attorney's office often must work together on cases, it is important that the District Attorney's office stay at an arm's length so that they can be fair dealers in enforcing the law no matter who the plaintiff or defendant in a case.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
1. Rebuild Relationships with All Partners in the Justice System
2. Prioritize Enforcement of Drug Trafficking and Open Air Use
3. Enforce Failure to Appear in Court
MEASURE 110:
1) Criminalization of hard drugs at the Class A misdemeanor level to provide accountability for treatment
2) Detox centers for those in crisis
3) Residential treatment beds so no-one is waiting on the streets to die or languishing in our jails,
4) Diversion programs that reward progress with the removal of criminal penalties,
5) Transportation and housing options for those seeking sobriety outside of high drug areas; particularly downtown portland,
6) Case supervisors to provide thoughtful monitoring and referrals to work, housing and sobriety.
