Nathan Vasquez (lawyer)
Nathan Vasquez | |
|---|---|
| District Attorney of Multnomah County | |
Elect | |
| Assuming office January 1, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Mike Schmidt |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican (before 2017) Independent Party of Oregon (2017–present) |
| Education | University of California, Davis (BA) Lewis and Clark College (JD) |
Nathan Vasquez is an American attorney who is the District Attorney-elect of Multnomah County, Oregon. In May 2024, Vasquez defeated incumbent Mike Schmidt.[1][2]
Career
[edit]In 2001, Vasquez graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School.[1] He joined the Multnomah County District Attorney's office as an intern, and later as a prosecutor.[3][4]
In 2022, Vasquez prosecuted the second-degree murder case of Benjamin Smith stemming from the February 2022 Normandale Park shooting.[3]
In April 2024, Vasquez faced an ethics complaint before the Oregon State Bar when, in election material, he publicly accused a man of being a serial killer despite the man facing no charges.[5] The Oregon State Bar ultimately dismissed the complaint, citing "no sufficient basis to warrant a referral to Disciplinary Counsel."[5] In May 2024, the man Vasquez accused, Jesse Lee Calhoun, was charged with three counts of murder and three counts of abuse of corpse.[6] Calhoun was previously imprisoned for burglary and vehicle theft but in July 2021, his sentence was commuted by then-Governor Kate Brown.[6]
2024 District Attorney Election
[edit]In 2023, Vasquez announced his intention to challenge incumbent Schmidt in the 2024 election.[1]
During the campaign, Vasquez has earned broad support from Portland's public safety unions and business leaders.[7] He received sizable campaign contributions from business leaders like Phil Knight and Tim Boyle.[2] Before the primary election on May 21, 2024, Vasquez was endorsed by The Oregonian[8] and Willamette Week.[9]
On May 22, 2024, Schmidt conceded the election.[10] Vasquez received 53.3% of the vote while Schmidt received 46.3%.[11] Although he was elected on May 21, 2024, Vasquez will not become Multnomah County district attorney until January 1, 2025.[11]
After Vasquez defeated Schmidt, internal strife occurred within the Multnomah County district attorney's office. On May 29, 2024, Schmidt sent Vasquez an e-mail ordering him to refrain from transition-related activity during business hours unless authorized by Schmidt.[12] Schmidt has declined to resign ahead of Vasquez's inauguration despite historic precedent and public disapproval.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Wilson, Conrad (May 24, 2023). "Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt draws 2024 challenger from the inside". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Manfield, Lucas (November 15, 2023). "Nathan Vasquez Builds a Big Fundraising Lead in District Attorney Race". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Crombie, Noelle (May 26, 2023). "Longtime prosecutor says he will challenge Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Progressive prosecutor in Portland, Oregon, seeks to fend off tough-on-crime challenger in DA race". WSAV-TV. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ a b Wilson, Conrad (April 26, 2024). "Ethics complaint dismissed against candidate for Multnomah County DA". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Sparling, Zane (June 6, 2024). "Jesse Calhoun, charged with killing 3 women in Portland area, pleads not guilty". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Manfield, Lucas (February 12, 2024). "Six Public Safety Unions Endorse Nathan Vasquez". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ The Oregonian Editorial Board (May 3, 2024). "Editorial endorsement May 2024: Vote for Nathan Vasquez for Multnomah County DA". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ WW Staff (May 1, 2024). "WW's May 2024 Endorsements: Multnomah County". Willamette Week. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Zielinski, Alex (May 22, 2024). "Nathan Vasquez wins race to be Multnomah County district attorney". OPB. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Elections in Multnomah County, Oregon (2024)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Boddie, Ken (July 7, 2024). "Multnomah County DA-elect Nathan Vasquez talks policy changes, transition to new role". KOIN 6. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Dooris, Pat (May 22, 2024). "Nathan Vasquez prepares to take on the role of Multnomah County district attorney". KGW 8. Retrieved October 23, 2024.