Even though the election is technically finalized on November 5, 2024, ORS 249.088 determines that this nonpartisan office can be won at the Primary Election if two or more candidates file for this office and one receives the majority of votes (more than 50%).[5] As the result, the election could be finalized on May 21, 2024 if one of the candidates gets more than 50% of the votes.
Incumbent District Attorney Mike Schmidt was elected in 2020 with 77% of the vote, despite his opponent receiving the incumbents endorsement. Schmidt was appointed by governor Kate Brown to start his term earlier than expected in order to replace Rod Underhill, who retired in the middle of his term.
Schmidt, who has announced his intention to run for reelection, has been a controversial District Attorney. He is considered a progressive, and famously refused to prosecute people who were arrested for participating in the George Floyd protests that began in early May 2020 unless there was "deliberate property damage, theft, or threat of force." By August 11 of that year, the office only prosecuted 47 felonies out of 550 referred protest cases.[2]
^"Protest cases". Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
^"Nathan Vasquez challenging DA Mike Schmidt as MultCo becomes 'unrecognizable'". KOIN.com. 2023-09-03. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
^"Deputy DA announces run for Multnomah County District Attorney". KOIN.com. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
^ a b cManfield, Lucas (January 29, 2024). "Multnomah County Prosecutors' Union Endorses Nathan Vasquez's Candidacy to Unseat Their Boss". Willamette Week. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
^ a b c dCrombie, Noelle (February 14, 2024). "DA candidate Nathan Vasquez endorsed by unions for Portland police, Multnomah County deputies". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
^ a b c d e f g h i j kCrombie, Noelle. "Mike Schmidt for DA".
^ a b c d e f g"Endorsements".
^Wilson, Conrad (May 24, 2023). "Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt draws 2024 challenger from the inside". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
^ a b c d e fKeizur, Christopher (February 14, 2024). "Gresham Police, Fire Unions endorse Nathan Vasquez for district attorney". The Outlook (Gresham). Retrieved February 16, 2024.
^ a b c d e f"Six Public Safety Unions Endorse Nathan Vasquez". Willamette Week. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.