Portland’s Progressive District Attorney Faces Criticism for Absence from Office
Portland’s District Attorney, Mike Schmidt, is under fire for allegedly shirking his duties and failing to show up at the office, with one employee claiming he hasn’t been seen “in months.” Data published by The Oregonian revealed that Schmidt only swiped his access card into the office on about 60 percent of workdays, equivalent to just three days a week, over a six-month period.
In contrast, Nathan Vasquez, Schmidt’s challenger in the upcoming Democratic primary, clocked in about 90 percent of the time, positioning himself as a more dedicated candidate for the job. Vasquez, a senior prosecutor in the district attorney’s office, emphasized his consistent presence in the office, prosecuting serious cases and providing leadership to fellow prosecutors.
The differing views on the role of the district attorney have sparked a debate between the two candidates, with Vasquez questioning Schmidt’s work ethic and commitment to the job. Schmidt, who was elected in 2020, defended his absence from the office by highlighting his engagements with local and state leaders, public events, and conferences on progressive prosecution.
While Schmidt has no caseload, Vasquez argues that the district attorney should be more hands-on to address the high turnover and low morale among staff members. The internal office survey revealed complaints of heavy caseloads and lack of supervision, with one employee expressing not seeing their supervisors or the DA for months.
As the primary election approaches, the issue of office presence and dedication has become a focal point in the race for Multnomah County District Attorney. Schmidt’s out-of-office priorities and Vasquez’s promise of better support for staffers have set the stage for a contentious campaign.