Mike for DA

Democrat Mike Schmidt is running for Multnomah County District Attorney.

Mike Schmidt for DA

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<h4>Mike Schmidt is Multnomah County’s District Attorney.</h4>Following the abrupt resignation of the previous District Attorney, Mike took office in August 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and months of protests following George Floyd’s murder. Throughout his first term, Mike has prioritized his office’s resources to focus on gun violence and other violent crime, and he has significantly increased data accessibility and transparency in the office. He has also enacted major progressive policy reforms, establishing a new Justice Integrity Unit, expanding opportunities for restorative justice solutions, making immigration-neutral charging decisions, and creating an evidence-based STEP Court focusing on reducing recidivism.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/3501ed5a-e80d-46ff-a73a-4d2bbdec64f2/d5127b4e-8aa4-44c9-987a-42049c5f653e/d5127b4e-8aa4-44c9-987a-42049c5f653e.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C300%2C441&amp;w=1500" alt="Mike Schmidt as a Deputy DA" title="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="25" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Mike first moved to Oregon in 2005 after teaching in public high schools in New Orleans. As a teacher, he observed the school-to-prison pipeline firsthand. His students were victims of crime, witnesses to crime, children of incarcerated parents, and sometimes defendants themselves.That experience drove Mike to study criminal law at Lewis &amp; Clark and join the Multnomah District Attorney's Office.As a Deputy District Attorney serving under former D.A. Schrunk, Mike gained prosecutorial experience that showed him how the criminal justice system worked—and where it fell short. As a frontline prosecutor, Mike tried misdemeanor cases, property crime felonies, drug court cases, and led a project to get restitution for victims of crime.Before being elected Multnomah D.A. himself, he served as Executive Director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/3501ed5a-e80d-46ff-a73a-4d2bbdec64f2/6278ced5-68a9-450b-ba58-d37c6f7813a4/6278ced5-68a9-450b-ba58-d37c6f7813a4.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=1038%2C204%2C3446%2C2839&amp;w=1500" alt="Mike walking in park" title="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">In that role, he oversaw a $90 million budget and spearheaded community-based efforts to reform our state’s approach to criminal justice. As Director, Mike led projects that have made our system more transparent, fought for legislation that decreases racial disparities, and for treating addiction like a health issue—not a criminal justice issue.Mike lives in Southeast Portland with his wife and their two sons. Mike enjoys playing darts, board games, watching the Blazers and the Saints, and spending time with his family exploring Oregon.

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<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top issues our campaign is focused on. Learn more about our issues <a href="/issues" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.

Top Priorities

Drug addiction is a public health crisis in our community. With overdoses skyrocketing, Mike knows the solution is to get more people into treatment. But open drug use on our streets makes our communities feel less safe. Mike successfully pushed to change Measure 110 to stop public drug use and create a 24/7 emergency detox center in Multnomah County.

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Addressing Public Drug Use &amp; Measure 110

Mike is standing up to the gun lobbyists and the NRA and partnering with OHSU to study gun violence as the major public health epidemic it is. He’s also fought to keep guns off our streets, dedicated more staff to prosecuting violent crime, and invested in programs that are proven to prevent young people from turning to crime and violence.

Focusing on Gun Violence

Mike understands that survivors of domestic abuse face challenging realities that can make them unsafe if forced to testify against their abuser. He led the effort to successfully pass a new law allowing survivor’s testimony to be used without traumatizing them by forcing them into court.Mike also secured a grant to support a brand new survivor-centered diversion program in Multnomah County.

Standing Up for Domestic Violence Survivors

Mike consistently stands up for our rights—opposing the Trump administration, taking on right-wing militias, and fighting hate and bias crimes.He champions our values like protecting abortion access, personal safety for LGBTQ people, and dignity for our immigrant neighbors. And Mike is fighting for working families by building systems to prosecute wage theft for the first time in County history.

Protecting Our Progressive Values

Keep up to date about Mike's campaign for Multnomah County District Attorney.

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Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

Your Name for Political Office

Kate Brown, former Governor

Barbara Roberts, former Governor

Ellen Rosenblum, Attorney General of Oregon

Michael Dembrow, State Senator

Chris Gorsek, State Senator

Kayse Jama, State Senator

Lew Frederick, State Senator

James Manning, Jr, State Senator

Floyd Prozanski, State Senator

Margaret Carter, former State Senator

Avel Gordly, former State Senator

Chip Shields, former State Senator

Diane Rosenbaum, former State Senator

Andrea Valderrama, State Representative

Tawna Sanchez, State Representative

Travis Nelson, State Representative

Dacia Grayber, State Representative

Ricki Ruiz, State Representative

Rob Nosse, State Representative

Hoa Nguyen, State Representative

Zach Hudson, State Representative

Mark Gamba, State Representative

State Elected Leaders

Tom Potter, former Mayor of Portland

Jessica Vega Pederson, Multnomah County Chair

Lori Stegmann, Multnomah County Commissioner

Jesse Beason, Multnomah County Commissioner

Deborah Kafoury, former Multnomah County Chair

Judy Shiprack, former Multnomah County Commissioner

Travis Stovall, Mayor of Gresham

Dina DiNucci, Gresham City Councilor

Eddy Morales, Gresham City Councilor

Vince Jones-Dixon, Gresham City Councilor

Scott Harden, former Mayor of Wood Village

John Hummel, former Deschutes Co. District Attorney

Ed Jones, former Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge

Jo Ann Hardesty, former Portland Commissioner

Chloe Eudaly, former Portland Commissioner

Steve Novick, former Portland Commissioner

Duncan Hwang, Metro Councilor

Ashton Simpson, Metro Councilor

Christine Lewis, Metro Councilor

Danny Cage, Multnomah Education Service District Board Member

Local Elected Leaders

Erious Johnson, former Circuit Court Judge

Wajdi Said, Muslim Educational Trust

Joe McFerrin II, POIC &amp; RAHS

Pastor Robin Wisner

Rabbi Ariel Stone

Mark Jackson, CAAP

Musse Olol, SACOO

Gail Meyer, criminal justice reform advocate, retired

Jimmy Wilson, Elliot Neighborhood Board Chair

Carla "KC" Hanson, former Chair, Democratic Party of Oregon

Liz McKanna, Lead Measure 114 Petitioner

Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

Mary Botkin, former Labor Organizer

Joyce Harris, Community Leader, Educator, and Activist

Al Jubitz, Community, Nonprofit, and Business Leader

Eddie Passadore

Andy Mendenhall, M.D.

Alicia Chapman, Local Business Leader

David Otte, Local Business Leader

Christine Chin Ryan, Local Business Leader

Howie Ung, Local Business Leader

Community Members &amp; Religious Leaders

Matt Ellis, Wasco County, OR District Attorney

Tucker Rossetto, Former Washington County Deputy District Attorney

Jose Garza, District Attorney, Austin, TX

Dan Satterberg, former District Attorney of King County, WA

Eli Savet, Prosecuting Attorney, Washtenaw County, MI

George Gascón, Los Angeles County District Attorney

John Choi, District Attorney, Ramsey County, MN

Kara Davis, Gillian County District Attorney

Kim Foxx, former Cook County State's Attorney

Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, District Attorney, Arlington County, VA

Ramin Fatehi, Commonwealth Attorney, Norfolk, VA

Sarah George, Chittenden County States Attorney, VT

Sim Gill, District Attorney, Salt Lake County, UT

Steve Descano, District Attorney, Fairfax County, VA

District Attorneys

Myths and Facts: Download our guide to combatting misinformation about the 2024 District Attorney's Race

Join Mike's grassroots campaign to make Multnomah County safer and fairer for everyone!

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Support Mike Schmidt, the ONLY Democrat for D.A.

Organizations Endorsing Mike:

AMERICAN DIABETES

1199 SEIU

CALIFORNIA NURSES

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I began my career as a high school teacher in a low-income school. Through the experiences of my students, I saw how a broken criminal justice system created community distrust and failed to keep them safe."

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News &amp; Press

Schmidt also brings a holistic approach to his job—one that looks at root causes, outcomes, and ways in which the criminal justice system can be a change agent, and prevent people from re-entering the system, or spending their lives entangled in it. [...] Still, it’s hard to tell whether Vasquez can be trusted to reflect the kind of progressive values we hope to see in local government and in the justice system. Vasquez voted as a Republican until 2017.

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Portland Mercury Endorses Mike Schmidt

"Mike Schmidt has not had an easy time of it, taking office in an unenviable set of circumstances: Amid the city’s historic protests after the murder of George Floyd, Schmidt’s predecessor decided to retire six months early. The newly elected Schmidt stepped in at a time when racial justice and law enforcement were especially at odds and nightly protests continued downtown and beyond for an impressive stretch – and as the Covid-19 pandemic raged. Not long into Schmidt’s term, Measure 110 decriminalized smaller amounts of drug possession in favor of diversion. Schmidt supported the measure, but the roll-out of such an unprecedented reform was destined to be rocky, and Schmidt has unfairly been blamed for an ongoing fentanyl crisis – in fact, he’s been blamed for a rise in crime that follows a national trend.It is also not unfair to say he bore the brunt of an aggrieved police force at a time when the public overwhelmingly pushed for reform. But Schmidt, the former executive director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, had campaigned on criminal justice reform and brought with him a data-driven mindset to counter racial inequities, and we support this important and ongoing work.Schmidt’s challenger Nathan Vasquez is a senior deputy district attorney, at times revising his own support of Schmidt’s more progressive approaches to arrests and arrest dismissals. This revision has successfully garnered him the support of the Portland Police Association, but little in the way of BIPOC support. His law-and-order platform is a misguided fix for complex issues that require thoughtful solutions, not force.We are not ready to give up on a more common-sense and equitable approach to criminal justice, and Vasquez presents himself as an over-correction in a time of tumult. We urge you to vote for Schmidt."Source: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theskanner.com/opinion/skanner-editorials/35867-the-skanner-news-may-2024-primary-endorsements">https://www.theskanner.com/opinion/skanner-editorials/35867-the-skanner-news-may-2024-primary-endorsements</a>

Schmidt’s challenger Nathan Vasquez is a senior deputy district attorney, at times revising his own support of Schmidt’s more progressive approaches to arrests and arrest dismissals. This revision has successfully garnered him the support of the Portland Police Association, but little in the way of BIPOC support. His law-and-order platform is a misguided fix for complex issues that require thoughtful solutions, not force.

The Skanner Endorses Mike Schmidt for DA

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission approved the $100,000 award Monday, following a direct pitch for financial assistance by Multnomah County <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/11/da-mike-schmidt-makes-bid-for-reelection-official.html">District Attorney Mike Schmidt</a> and Portland Police Chief Bob Day.

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission approved the $100,000 award Monday, following a direct pitch for financial assistance by Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt and Portland Police Chief Bob Day.

Portland to step up street racing enforcement with six-figure state grant

The bias crimes investigator position has already been filled and began work on Monday, officials said.“Addressing bias crimes and helping repair the damage of these crimes to victims and communities is a top priority for me and my office,” Schmidt said. “This funding will allow us to increase and improve our investigations, which will ultimately result in more prosecution, accountability for perpetrators, and justice for victims of bias crimes.”&nbsp;

“Addressing bias crimes and helping repair the damage of these crimes to victims and communities is a top priority for me and my office,” Schmidt said. “This funding will allow us to increase and improve our investigations, which will ultimately result in more prosecution, accountability for perpetrators, and justice for victims of bias crimes.”&nbsp;

MultCo DA Mike Schmidt secures $300K in funding for dedicated bias crimes investigator

“On the prosecution side of things we try to send a clear message: ‘If you pick up a gun and you’re shooting. We’ll find you, you’ll be arrested and we’re going to hold you accountable,'” Schmidt said. “But we also recognize that a safer and healthier community can’t just be about reaction. We also have to be about prevention and getting upstream.”

“On the prosecution side of things we try to send a clear message: ‘If you pick up a gun and you’re shooting. We’ll find you, you’ll be arrested and we’re going to hold you accountable,'” Schmidt said. “But we also recognize that a safer and healthier community can’t just be about reaction. We also have to be about prevention and getting upstream.”

MultCo District Attorney Mike Schmidt, OHSU team up to fight gun violence

November 30, 2023-Former Portland Mayor Tom Potter has endorsed Mike Schmidt for the 2024 Multnomah County District Attorney’s race.Mr. Potter served as mayor of Portland from 2005 to 2009. Previously, he served Portland for 27 years as a police officer, including serving three years as Chief of Police for PPB.“As DA, Mike has focused on our most pressing public safety challenges like gun violence and car thefts. At the same time he is implementing much needed reforms to address transparency, accountability, and racial equity in our system,” said Mr. Potter. “For an elected leader to rise to meet the needs of the moment while also keeping his promises is noteworthy. Mike will continue being accountable to us and keep working to make our communities safer. That’s why he’s got my proud support.”Mike Schmidt has already secured the endorsements of over 50 community leaders and trusted progressive organizations. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mikeschmidtforda.com/endorsements">You can view a complete list of his endorsers here.</a>###

Former Portland Mayor Tom Potter has endorsed Mike Schmidt for the 2024 Multnomah County District Attorney’s race.Mr. Potter served as mayor of Portland from 2005 to 2009. Previously, he served Portland for 27 years as a police officer, including serving three years as Chief of Police for PPB.“As DA, Mike has focused on our most pressing public safety challenges like gun violence and car thefts. At the same time he is implementing much needed reforms to address transparency, accountability, an

Former Portland Mayor Tom Potter Endorses Mike Schmidt for Multnomah County District Attorney

Twelve people have graduated Multnomah County’s STEP Court as the program shows a low recidivism rate within its first year, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced Friday.

Multnomah County STEP Court sees 12 graduate, low recidivism in first year

On Saturday, Nov. 18, the East Precinct ran a joint agency Stolen Vehicle Operation with Gresham police, Port of Portland Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the district attorney's Auto Theft Task Force, PPB's K9 Unit and Air Support Unit.&nbsp;

'We think it's working': Portland police report a big decline in stolen vehicles

“I still believe connecting people to treatment is the right thing, but we also have to preserve our public spaces for everybody, and right now that’s not happening,” he said in an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive.

DA Mike Schmidt urges tougher approach to drug crimes while keeping heart of Measure 110 intact

DA Mike Schmidt said his office is also working with OHSU on a homicide review committee to study ways to intervene before someone commits a homicide.

DA Mike Schmidt said his office is also working with OHSU on a homicide review committee to study ways to intervene before someone commits a homicide.

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office announces new homicide unit

In the interview, DA Schmidt discusses some of Multnomah County's most pressing problems and how his office is addressing them.

Multnomah Co. District Atty. Mike Schmidt discusses Measure 110, problems facing county

Nearly $800,000 from the city and Multnomah County will go to hire two special teams of prosecutors and investigators to build cases against people accused of chronic retail theft and car heists plaguing Portland, District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced Monday.

Auto, retail theft will be investigated by new DA teams funded with $800K

A rise in crime during the pandemic across most of Oregon’s largest cities – including Portland – is abating, according to a new state analysis of preliminary federal crime data.

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