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

Moderated by Ken Boddie, the debate primarily focused on each candidate’s vision for public safety – delving into everything from gun violence to the fentanyl crisis – in a forum provided by the Portland Metro Chamber.

District Attorney Schmidt, elected to his post in 2020, 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. He touted progress in prosecution rates in these areas during the debate.

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.

“I’m the only candidate before you who has prosecuted a murder case,” stated Vasquez. “I’m the only candidate before you that’s prosecuted a rape case. I’m the only candidate before you that has done any serious felony trial.”

However, while overall crime is down in Multnomah County, gun-related homicides are the exception.

“The NRA has historically blocked our ability to study gun violence for decades,” said Schmidt. “But I partnered with OHSU to study gun violence locally like the public health issue and emergency that it is.”

The debate became contentious at times.

“[Schmidt’s] very first effort as a DA was to come forward and tell the community all the things he wasn’t going to prosecute,” voiced Vasquez. “His first budget was to reduce property crime by 40%. That’s who Mike Schmidt is.”

“You have to do crime prevention work, not just be reactive,” Schmidt replied. “Every problem in our community does not have a prosecutorial solution.”

Although both Vasquez and Schmidt advocated for changing Measure 110 – a voter-approved ballot measure that decriminalized drugs – they voiced different ideas for implementation.

When asked if this change meant more incarceration, Vasquez replied, “If they’re dealing drugs to our children, absolutely.”

Schmidt on the other hand emphasized, “At every step of 4002, it’s going to be trying to get people into treatment.”

The primary election in Multnomah County will be held on May 21.

You can view the entire debate in the video above.