Rod Underhill for District Attorney

A Note of Thanks From Rod

As many of you have already heard, last Tuesday was the deadline for candidates to officially file with the Secretary of State to run for the position of Multnomah County District Attorney. We learned at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday that nobody filed to run against me in this race. As a result,  I will be unopposed in the May election.

I am both humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the citizens of Multnomah County as your next District Attorney. I am deeply grateful for the broad support demonstrated for me during the past many months of this campaign. I want to thank the hundreds of people who donated money, volunteered their time, worked on my campaign and lent their encouragement and support, without which this result would have been unattainable.

While I do not have an opponent in this race, I intend to continue to work hard each day during the final months of this election season to earn this important position. I will continue to meet with members of the community both to share my vision for the District Attorneys Office and to learn from the electorate what they feel are the most pressing public safety issues facing our community today.

Again, thank you all for your support and I look forward to serving as your next Multnomah County District Attorney.

Rod

We are honored to announce that Rod has received the endorsement of AFSCME Local 88.  Rod spent a great evening speaking with the union membership and enjoyed the opportunity to hear their concerns and answer their questions.  He looks forward to a long and productive relationship with AFSCME Local 88 and thanks them for their support. 

Rod is honored that the Portland Business Alliance announced today its endorsement of his candidacy to become the next Multnomah County District Attorney.  The ongoing working relationship between the District Attorney’s Office and the PBA is a great example of private-public partnerships that work to make our community a safer place to live and work.

It’s been a fantastic few weeks at Underhill for DA campaign headquarters! Support for Rod continues to grow and we are working hard to continue connecting with voters and members of the community. A big “Thank You” to Rod’s most recent endorsers:

• Port of Portland Police Employees Association
• Teamsters Joint Council Number 37 Executive Board
• Jim Brown, former Oregon Attorney General

Last week Rod toured some of our Portland Public Schools, including King K-8, Jefferson High School, and Roosevelt High School. Rod had the privilege of meeting with the Senior Inquiry classes at Jefferson and Roosevelt where students peppered him with questions covering everything from “Occupy Portland,” to the “government’s monitoring of cell phone devices.” Rod was honored to be the featured speaker at the Oregon District Attorneys Association Winter Banquet as well as the featured speaker at CARES Northwest fundraising quilt luncheon. It was wonderful to meet so many people who have dedicated their time making a positive impact on our community. Rod also continues reaching out to leading organizations across Multnomah County as well as civic leaders to earn their endorsement and support.

We have enjoyed getting to know so many fantastic people who are working hard to make our community safe, livable, and interesting! 

We hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween and enjoyed their holiday. We wanted to give you all some updates from last week. We have a campaign office! We have officially signed our lease and found our home until the May 15^th election. We are located in the Morrison Plaza in downtown Portland. Our address is 1411 SW Morrison, Suite 270. We encourage everyone to drop by and see the new space. We are still in need of several items including: 

• Printer
• Copier
• Paper
• Microwave
• Folding Tables
• Desk 

If you have anything you can donate to make our space—well…more of an office, bring it on over or call us and we can pick it up. But even if you don’t, come on by to see us, pick up some buttons and literature, and learn about more ways you can become involved. We would love to see you. 

Rod continued to gain additional endorsements from key community leaders last week. To add to Rod’s impressive list of supporters, we are honored to now include: 

• Former Multnomah County Sheriff, Dan Noelle
• Former Portland Police Chief, Rosie Sizer
• Former Gresham Mayor, Charles Becker
• Gresham City Councilor, Paul C. Warr-King 

Finally, please enjoy our new “Did You Know” column authored by Rod.   Rod’s goal is to share with you the important work taking place in the DA’s office to keep our community safe and our crime rates low. If you have any topics you would like Rod to address, please email us the question. We would love to talk with you. 

DID YOU KNOW. . .

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the District Attorney’s office plays a significant role in combatting domestic violence in our community.  Over the last twenty years, we have made tremendous strides to aid families living with violence.  The DA’s office has gone from one dedicated prosecutor to having a fully staffed Domestic Violence Unit of approximately 10 prosecutors, advocates and staff.  In addition, we have a dedicated domestic violence court docket and a specialized Deferred Sentencing Program focused on accountability and treatment to help reduce recidivism.   

As a result of our efforts in the DA’s Office, as well as the efforts of the Portland Police Bureau and Multnomah County Parole and Probation, we can be much more aggressive in prosecuting domestic violence in our community and helping to make families safe. In 2010, the DA’s Domestic Violence Unit issued 1,405 felony, misdemeanor and violation of a court-issued restraining order cases. Of those 1,405 cases, 375 were issued as felonies contrasted with only 86 felony domestic violence cases issued twenty years ago in 1990. 

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month I applaud the hard work that has been done by many committed individuals and groups.  There is much to be proud of.

Have a great week everyone!

Rod is thrilled to announce that he has received the endorsement of his colleagues at the District Attorney’s Office, the Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys Association (MCPAA). “I am deeply honored to have received the support of my colleagues in my candidacy for Multnomah County District Attorney. Over the past 23 years we’ve worked side by side to ensure justice is served on behalf of crime victims and the citizens of Multnomah County. Receiving this endorsement is deeply personal for me.” Traci Anderson, MCPAA President, said, “Mr. Underhill is the only candidate in this race with the experience, commitment and integrity to move the District Attorney’s office forward.”

Rod also officially released news today of several more important endorsements from key community leaders and elected officials including:  former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts, the Multnomah County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Troutdale Police Association, the founder of Crime Victims United Dee Dee Kouns and Portland business leader and President and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Tim Boyle.  Said Rod, “I am honored by the support these individuals and groups have shown for my candidacy.  I intend to continue to work hard on behalf of the citizens of Multnomah County to make our community safe, just and strong.”

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Rod is honored to have been asked to speak on October 1st at 7:00 p.m. (on the East Bank Esplanade between the Morrison and Hawthorne Bridges) as the YWCA of Greater Portland lights the Morrison Bridge purple for the first week of October! To kick off the lights, please join in this brief celebration of Purple Light Nights, in honor of victims and survivors of abuse. Then shine a purple light (black light bulb) in your window, porch or office for the month to signify your support. The YWCA will have light bulbs for sale that benefit Yolanda House, the YWCA’s domestic violence shelter.

We had an amazing campaign kick-off on Thursday night with a great turnout from across the community. Special thanks to everyone who spoke, volunteered and contributed. Here is a video with some highlights, and people talking about why Rod has the experience, commitment and integrity to be our next Multnomah County District Attorney.

[Show as slideshow]

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