Portland-metro district attorneys endorse Rene Gonzalez for mayor

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – In an "unprecedented" move, the district attorneys for Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties endorsed Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez for mayor, Gonzalez' campaign announced Wednesday.

In a statement, Multnomah County District Attorney-Elect Nathan Vasquez said “Portland is on a path to recovery that requires balancing compassion and accountability. Rene has the leadership and vision we need in our next mayor. I look forward to partnering with him to create a safer, more livable Portland.”

Echoing calls for increased public safety, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton added, “Public safety is a regional issue because crime doesn’t stop at the county line. As the District Attorney in neighboring Washington County and a longtime Portland metro area resident, I believe Rene is the mayor Portland needs to help it become one of the safest cities in America again.”

“Rene Gonzalez is the leader Portland needs. He is a voice of reason and actually listens to the people he serves. When it was unpopular to talk about public safety, Rene spoke up on behalf of crime victims and ran for office to return Portland to the city we know it can be. His willingness to fight for Portland despite the personal cost is nothing short of heroic," Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth said.

The announcement marks the latest high-profile endorsements in the race to become Portland's 54th mayor.

In late June, Gonzalez -- who is commissioner of public safety -- announced the Portland Firefighters Association and the Portland Police Association backed his mayoral bid.

That same month, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek endorsed mayoral candidate and current Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio -- who oversees Prosper Portland and the city bureaus for housing, development services and planning and sustainability.

“Having the support of all three county DAs shows just how important this election and the City of Portland are to the region,” said Gonzalez. “What happens in Portland affects our whole metro area, and I’m committed to strengthening our regional bonds and reestablishing critical partnerships moving forward. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community – and that is true both locally and regionally. We’re in this together.”