Candidates for Oregon Attorney General argue over drug offenses

The Democratic Party's candidate for Oregon Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, and his Republican opponent, Will Lathrop, disagree on many issues. One of them is distraction.

Rayfield, a state representative from Corvallis, is a fan. Lathrop is not.

Rayfield was House speaker in March when the House passed House Bill 4002, which reversed much of Measure 110, the 2020 referendum that decriminalized possession of illegal drugs. The law required counties to offer people arrested for drug possession the opportunity to receive treatment before being charged, a process they called “diversion.” Counties' participation is voluntary, and state funds are available.

Lathrop, a former assistant district attorney in Marion and Yamhill counties, says diversion is flawed and that counties should stick with drug courts, which offer a choice between abstinence and hard confinement under court supervision and regular drug testing. If a person can successfully recover, drug possession charges are dropped.

Lathrop and Rayfield came to WW for our endorsement interview, and sparks flew on a number of topics. Deflection sparked some of the most heated exchanges. Check out this clip to see the exchange.