Nathan Vasquez, a centrist candidate for district attorney, has defeated the current progressive prosecutor in Multnomah County, Oregon, where Portland is located. Vasquez campaigned on a promise to take a tough stance on crime.
As a former deputy of District Attorney Mike Schmidt, Vasquez received endorsements from several police groups. He secured victory in Tuesday’s primary election by earning more than 50% of the vote, with Schmidt as his sole competitor on the ballot.
Schmidt reportedly conceded the election during a conversation with Vasquez on Wednesday afternoon. On his campaign’s Facebook page, Vasquez expressed gratitude to Schmidt for his service and thanked voters for their support.
A person drops off his vote (Via Austin Black/Shutterstock)
Vasquez’s win comes amid a broader trend where progressive district attorneys and candidates in typically liberal areas, from the San Francisco Bay Area to Seattle, have faced challenges due to concerns about public safety and homelessness.
“The voters have clearly indicated their readiness for a new and safer direction in our county,” Vasquez stated in his Wednesday post.
“I am committed to ending public drug dealing and drug use, connecting individuals with treatment, repairing relationships between the DA’s office and the community, and prioritizing the needs of crime victims,” he added.
