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.
Poland arrests sabotage suspects and warns of potential hostile acts by Russia
Nicolai Hojgaard goes from late third
Texas Gov. vows to expand border barriers amid standoff with White House
Caitlin Clark returns for 2nd half against Sun after apparent left leg injury in 1st half
Record storms in California lead to surging deadly fungal infections
NATO defence ministers discuss strengthening bloc's deterrence, support to Ukraine
Mali, Burkina and Niger announce their withdrawal from ECOWAS
PHOTOS: At the Pet Gala, fashion goes to the dogs
Hamas leader arrives in Cairo to hold talks on Gaza truce
A Canadian serial killer who brought victims to a pig farm is hospitalized after a prison assault
Homicide suspect kills himself after fleeing through 3 states, authorities say