October 10, 2024
The Oregonian

If you think Oregon state government has handled drug addiction, homelessness, and violent crime really well over the last 10 years, then you probably don’t need to be concerned about the election for state attorney general.

On the other hand, if you share my concern that Oregon continues to see overdoses skyrocket, homelessness continues at crisis levels and the murder rates in Portland continue at unacceptable levels, you will join me in voting for Will Lathrop for Oregon attorney general.

I served as the elected district attorney in Astoria for 25 years until I retired in 2019. Oregon has had a string of distinguished attorney generals – both Democrats and Republicans. The race in 2024 is the first time in almost 40 years there has been a real race between the party nominees, even though the office of attorney general should be nonpartisan, as the races for district attorneys are.

Lathrop has extensive experience as a criminal lawyer and actually trying cases, while his opponent has no criminal law experience whatsoever and has primarily identified himself as the partisan leader of his party in the Legislature. Oregon voters have made clear they support truth in sentencing and crime victims’ rights, both areas in which Lathrop clearly outdistances his opponent, who would simply continue to use the AG’s office as a highly partisan political steppingstone

Will Lathrop has the broad support of elected DAs and sheriffs across the state, join us in electing him Oregon’s attorney general.

Joshua Marquis
Astoria