“To My Community:
Happy New Year!
This last year was an absolute whirlwind. When I announced in May that I was running for district attorney, I knew it was going to mean major changes in my life and that of my family. I could never have imagined how much would change. Running for office while continuing to prosecute cases has required tremendous engagement. I could not be more grateful for your constant encouragement and steadfast support. I am proud of all that has been accomplished in six short months and I am energized as we kick off 2024.
Over the last few months, we’ve focused many newsletters on why Mike Schmidt is the wrong person to be Multnomah County District Attorney. Over the coming weeks, I want to share why I am the right person for this critical job.
You will hear from others - victims, colleagues, friends and family - about our collective work to advance fair and equitable public safety in our community. But today I want to share a little bit about what I believe makes me the right person at the right time to be your next District Attorney.
Sincerely yours,
Nathan
“Without enforcement, there are no standards.”
I AM NOT A POLITICIAN. I AM A PROSECUTOR.
My entire professional career has been as a prosecutor. You can learn more about my early years on our website, but the short version is that I grew up in California, raised by children of immigrants. My grandfather immigrated to America, and made his way through medical school by working various jobs. I vividly remember being at my grandfather’s house, and watching patients come in the side door to receive treatment. My grandfather was a community doctor, and often accepted payment in the form of chickens or other things his patients might have in lieu of money. That servant leadership stuck with me, and my while my grandfather paid for my college education, he stipulated it be under the condition that I serve my community.
After graduating from UC Davis, I came to Lewis & Clark to get my law degree. I expected to be an environmental lawyer, but that all changed when I took an internship in the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. The experience made me realize that working in service to crime victims and improving public safety was my calling.
In 2001, shortly after graduating from Lewis & Clark, I was hired by then District Attorney Mike Schrunk. In the 23 years since, I’ve had the opportunity to work in nearly every department and prosecute nearly every type of case - from low level misdemeanors to multiple homicides. Some of my proudest work was in service to children in the sexual abuse unit, helping children face their abuser and stopping any more children from abuse. The work has forged in me a deep understanding of the impact of crime on our community, particularly on the victims of crime.
WE CAN AND MUST DO MORE.
Throughout my two decades in public service, I have seen crime rates go up and down - but mostly go down. Yet over the past four years, I, like most people in our community, have been disheartened by the extraordinary and unprecedented increase in the number of people impacted by crime. Whether it is as a victim of crime - either property or violent crime - or as a friend or family member supporting those whose lives have been upended. The trauma this experience leaves behind is devastating, and is what makes community members choose to stay or leave a place - whether or not they believe the system is working, and that the leadership care that it is working.
My initial response was to do as I always did, keep my nose to the grindstone and work my caseload. Yet as I heard from more and more victims and watched office policies change in ways I knew were detrimental to our community, and the office culture become dangerously volatile to the point that some of our most talented attorneys left decades long careers, I felt an increasing sense of urgency. Urgency to help more victims. Urgency to be more present in the community. Urgency to change the direction of an office that is the only one I’ve ever known and a county that has been my home for the majority of my life. After hundreds of conversations and with the encouragement of friends, family and colleagues, I made the difficult decision to step out of my comfort zone and run to be your next district attorney.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS.
It is my belief that the District Attorney is not a learn as you go job. Experience makes a difference. Over two decades, I’ve learned what works and what does not work. I’ve learned how to strike the right balance - we can be compassionate about people’s life circumstances and also hold them accountable for their actions that harm our communities. I look forward to rebuilding the programs that have the highest impact over the years, particularly things like Community Court.
Experience also matters when it comes to restoring relationships across the public safety community. I’ve known and worked with police officers, behavioral health specialists, victims advocates, judges and defense attorneys for years and years. The path to redefining our county begins with redefining our ability to collaborate.
Based on my experiences as a prosecutor and in consultation with peers and colleagues, I’ve developed a comprehensive set of specific policies that will have immediate and impactful results. The policies cover three key areas:
Enforcement of lawless behavior, because when we do not enforce our communal laws, we create a culture that ignores our community’s social contract and shared beliefs of law and order;
Pursuing compassionate consequences, as many of our our most vulnerable have lost their entire social network, and the justice system is often their first intervention; and
Updating and optimizing internal systems, including rebuilding a healthy organizational culture where all members of our team feel welcome, appreciated and appropriately rewarded.
I encourage you to explore the detailed policies in each of these areas on my website. Collectively, they offer a new, much different approach to the job. And a different approach is essential to obtaining different outcomes.
Finally, I’ve learned in my twenty plus years that the best ideas are a product of listening and learning. I welcome your feedback on my proposed policies as well as any other ideas that might make our community stronger.
I’m excited to be in this campaign, and committed to becoming your next Multnomah County District Attorney.
Happy New Year and thank you for your support.
We Can Do It!
I promise to restore confidence in our criminal justice system by reinstituting a balanced, fair approach to prosecutions. I will take crime seriously.
I will do the job my opponent refuses to do.
In these challenging times, we want to emphasize a fundamental belief of our campaign - that two things can be true at once. We can be compassionate about people's life circumstances, recognizing the complex issues that drive some individuals into the criminal justice system. At the same time, we can and must hold people accountable for their actions when they harm our communities. And for most, intervention is compassion.
Our vision for the District Attorney's office is one that balances these principles. We aim to implement policies that address the root causes of crime while ensuring that those who break the law face appropriate consequences. By doing so, we can create a safer and more just community for everyone.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and together, we can bring about positive change in our district.
Sincerely,
The Vote for Vasquez Team
P.S. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming primary election date of May 21, 2024!
Get Involved
You can be a part of this transformative journey to a brighter future with Nathan. Your financial support is essential to fuel our campaign. Every contribution counts, no matter the size. Just scan the QR code below!
~Theresa Griffin Kennedy
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