Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has been removed from his position in Oregon, according to a Decision Desk HQ projection, losing to a challenge from Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.
SchmidtHe took officein the Portland District amid the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, and announced that his officeI wouldn’t go after manywho were arrested during the demonstrations.
“As prosecutors, we recognize the depth of emotion driving these demonstrations and support those who are civically engaged through peaceful protests,” Schmidt said in a statement at the time, as reported byOregonian. “We will undermine public safety, not promote it, if we do not take action to bring about immediate change.”
But the Beaver State has seen growing concerns about public safety amid drug decriminalization efforts andincreasinglack of housing.
Vasquez Platformstressedthat “even ‘minor’ crimes such as theft, vandalism and littering, public use of illicit drugs, and public drug use all contribute to a community’s overall feeling of safety and well-being.”
Schmidt and Vasquez were the only two candidates in Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary.
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