PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Incumbent Mike Schmidt and challenger Nathan Vasquez debated on Thursday morning ahead of the election for Multnomah County district attorney in May.

The debate, which started at around 8:40 a.m. at the Hilton Portland, discussed their visions for public safety with moderator Ken Boddie in a forum provided by the Portland Metro Chamber.

District Attorney Schmidt was elected to his post in 2020 and recently told Boddie on Eye on Northwest Politics his track record of creating task forces to combat auto and retail theft has made positive results.

Vasquez, who is currently serving as Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney, told Boddie on Eye on Northwest Politics that should he be elected, he would bring his 20 years of experience prosecuting what he calls “complex” cases to the table.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

Both Vasquez and Schmidt advocated for changing Measure 110, a voter-approved ballot measure that decriminalized drugs; the Oregon legislature passed measures that recriminalized drugs in the short session that ended earlier this month.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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