Nathan "Nate" Howard is an entrepreneur, activist, and political strategist. Having cut his teeth as Deputy Campaign Manager and then a Senior Advisor to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Nate has also worked on some of the most influential ballot measures in Oregon history to include Measure 109 and Measure 110. Measure 109 made Oregon the first state in the country to legalize and regulate Psilocybin services for medical purposes -- an experiment that pro and anti legalization policy wonks are watching closely.  Nate walks us through his background in further detail, the ins-and-outs of psilocybin, and where he sees the ballot initiative taking the state including the ups and downs. 

Mike Schmidt is an accomplished attorney and public servant currently serving as the District Attorney of Oregon. With a strong commitment to justice and fairness, Schmidt has made significant contributions to the legal system throughout his career.

Born and raised in Oregon, he possesses an intimate understanding of the community's needs and has dedicated himself to creating a safer and more equitable society. Having earned his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School, where he developed a deep passion for criminal justice reform, Schmidt recognized the systemic flaws within the legal system and sought to address them through innovative approaches and progressive policies. Before assuming the role of District Attorney, Mike was a TFA teacher in New Orleans, and then worked as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office before staffing the Judiciary Committee, and becoming the Executive Director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. This experience provided him with invaluable insight into the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and the pressing need for criminal justice reform.

As the District Attorney of Oregon, Schmidt has spearheaded a groundbreaking approach to criminal justice that emphasizes restorative justice and community engagement. He understands that the traditional punitive methods of prosecution often perpetuate cycles of crime and fail to address the underlying causes. Instead, Schmidt seeks to implement programs that prioritize rehabilitation, reducing recidivism rates, and giving individuals the opportunity to reintegrate into society successfully.

Schmidt has actively worked towards fostering trust and transparency between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, and has implemented measures to increase police accountability, promote racial equity, and minimize the unjust targeting and prosecution of marginalized communities, and is recognized as a progressive leader within the legal community.

to learn more about his campaign for 2024 visit: https://mikeschmidtforda.com/

The Oregon politics community is abuzz with questions and theories about the vacancy in the Secretary of State’s office. In this episode, we discuss the role and its significance in state government. We discuss the complex political dynamics of the vacancy and the process for how the position is filled (and the requirements for who can fill it). We also cover the potential candidates and the public statements that have been made by the Governor and other political leaders. Finally, we offer some historical context of how previous vacancies have been filled—and what that might say about this vacancy.

Kristina Edmunson is a seasoned communications professional with a wealth of experience in the field. She is best known for her role as the former Communications Director for Oregon's Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum. Throughout her tenure, Kristina demonstrated exceptional skills in strategic communication, media relations, and public affairs, contributing significantly to the successful implementation of the Attorney General's agenda.

With a keen understanding of the complexities of legal matters and their impact on communities, Kristina played a pivotal role in shaping the public image of the Attorney General's office. Her expertise in crafting clear and compelling messaging helped to effectively communicate the office's initiatives, priorities, and accomplishments to various stakeholders, including the public, media outlets, and government agencies.During her time as Communications Director, Kristina demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. She skillfully navigated challenging issues and crisis situations, working closely with the Attorney General's team to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information while maintaining public trust.

Kristina's ability to forge strong relationships with journalists and media professionals proved instrumental in securing positive media coverage for the Attorney General's office. Her strategic media outreach efforts ensured that important legal developments, consumer protection initiatives, and other key announcements received the attention they deserved.

Prior to her role with the Attorney General's office, Kristina honed her communication skills in various positions within the public and private sectors. Kristina holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, with a focus on strategic communication and public relations. She continues to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the field, recognizing the ever-evolving nature of effective communication in today's digital age.

In this episode we take a deeper dive into the role of communications in Oregon's political climate and the threats currently being posed to the field of journalism and the impact that can have on the democratic process.

• Learn more about "Birth" (signed copies available at Powell's!)

Monte Bowen is the Pacific Regional Director for Gun Owners of America (GOA), an influential gun-rights organization based in Washington, D.C., with a presence across the country.  Monte served in law enforcement for 30 years and has extensive experience with the criminal justice system, firearm training, and police tactics. He joins us to talk about GOA's lawsuit that effectively halted Measure 114 after it was passed by Oregon voters via ballot measure in 2022. We also dive into other topics such as school safety, hand-gun bans, background checks, and open carry laws and rules.

Check out our episode below with Moms Demand Action.