AG candidate, Will Lathrop, nets 70 law enforcement endorsements

By Will Lathrop for Attorney General

Portland, Ore. – Today, Will Lathrop announced an extensive list of 70+ law enforcement professionals endorsing his campaign for Oregon Attorney General. Endorsements include 28 elected sheriffs; 5 retired sheriffs; 21 current, elected, and retired district attorneys, and many other law enforcement leaders.

“I am honored to have the support of so many dedicated public servants and law enforcement leaders across our state,” said Attorney General Candidate, Will Lathrop. “The Attorney General is a law enforcement and law execution position, not a law creation position. I look forward to working with law enforcement leaders to enforce Oregon’s laws justly – without a political lens – to keep our communities safe.”

“As the only candidate in this race with local, national, and international law enforcement and prosecutorial experience, I understand the challenges this community faces and what it will take to rebuild our justice system. I am committed to working collaboratively across jurisdictions with law enforcement leaders to stand up for victims of crime, protect children from abuse and exploitation, take on organized crime and hold drug traffickers accountable,” added Lathrop.

Lathrop concluded, “It’s been painful for me to watch the state I love suffer. Oregon is a wounded beauty — a beautiful state marred by crime and a lack of accountability. I represent a dawn of new leadership that will bring lasting change and ensure a safer, healthier future for Oregonians. As Oregon’s preeminent law enforcement officer, I am committed to solving problems, standing up for victims of crime, and protecting Oregonians by upholding Oregon’s laws.”

70 Law Enforcement Professionals Endorsing Will Lathrop for Oregon Attorney General:

28 County Sheriffs: 

• Sheriff Travis Ash – Baker County Sheriff
• Sheriff Angela Brandenburg – Clackamas County Sheriff
• Sheriff Matt Phillips – Clatsop County Sheriff
• Sheriff Brian Pixley – Columbia County Sheriff
• Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio – Coos County Sheriff
• Sheriff John Gautney – Crook County Sheriff
• Sheriff John Ward – Curry County Sheriff
• Sheriff John Hanlin – Douglas County Sheriff
• Sheriff Gary Bettencourt – Gilliam County Sheriff
• Sheriff Todd McKinley – Grant County Sheriff
• Sheriff Matt English – Hood River County Sheriff
• Sheriff Nathan Sickler – Jackson County Sheriff
• Sheriff Jason Pollock – Jefferson County Sheriff
• Sheriff Dave Daniel – Josephine County Sheriff
• Sheriff Mike Taylor – Lake County Sheriff
• Sheriff Cliff Harrold – Lane County Sheriff
• Sheriff Curtis Landers – Lincoln County Sheriff
• Sheriff Michelle Duncan – Linn County Sheriff
• Sheriff Travis Johnson – Malheur County Sheriff
• Sheriff Nick Hunter – Marion County Sheriff
• Sheriff John A. Bowles – Morrow County Sheriff
• Sheriff Mark Garton – Polk County Sheriff
• Sheriff Brad Lohrey – Sherman County Sheriff
• Sheriff Terry Rowan – Umatilla County Sheriff
• Sheriff Cody Bowen – Union County Sheriff
• Sheriff Ryan Moody – Wallowa County Sheriff
• Sheriff Mike Smith – Wheeler County Sheriff
• Sheriff Sam Elliott – Yamhill County Sheriff

5 Retired County Sheriffs: 

• Pat Garrett  – Ret. Washington County Sheriff
• Bob Skipper – Ret. Multnomah County Sheriff
• Tom Bergin – Ret. Clatsop County Sheriff
• Kenneth Matlack – Ret. Morrow County Sheriff
• Joel Fish – Ret. Wallowa County Sheriff

21 District Attorneys and Prosecutors (Current, Elect, and Former): 

• Greg Baxter – Baker County District Attorney
• Ron L. Brown – Clatsop County District Attorney
• Joshua Pond – Columbia County District Attorney
• Ryan Hughes – Harney County District Attorney
• Carrie Rasmussen – Hood River County District Attorney
• Steven F. Leriche – Jefferson County District Attorney
• Joshua Eastman – Josephine County District Attorney
• Doug Marteeny – Linn County District Attorney
• David Goldthorpe – Malheur County District Attorney
• Rebecca Frolander – Wallowa County District Attorney
• Gretchen M. Ladd – Wheeler County District Attorney
• Brad Berry – Yamhill County District Attorney
• Jody Newby – Coos County District Attorney – Elect
• Paul Charas – Lake County District Attorney – Elect
• Josh Marquis – Ret. Clatsop County District Attorney

• John Foote – Ret. Clackamas County District Attorney
• Doug Harcleroad – Ret. Lane County District Attorney
• Bill Porter – Ret. Tillamook County District Attorney
• Mona Williams – Ret. Wallowa County District Attorney
• Bob Hermann – Ret. Washington County District Attorney
• Norm Frink – Ret. Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney

Chiefs of Police and Additional Law Enforcement Professionals: 

• Jeff Helfrich – Ret. Portland Police Sergeant, State Representative
• Rick Lewis – Ret. Silverton/Union/Bandon Chief of Police, State Representative
• Sherrie Sprenger  – Former Benton/Grant County Deputy Sheriff, Linn County Commissioner
• Jim Ferraris – Ret. Woodburn Chief of Police; Past President, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police
• David Bishop – Ret. Beaverton Chief of Police
• Randy Sparacino – Ret. Medford Chief of Police, Mayor of Medford
• Tim Weaver – Ret. Newberg Chief of Police
• Ken Summers – Ret. Cornelius Chief of Police
• Dave Henslee – Ret. Klamath Falls Chief of Police
• Larry Stephens – Ret. Salem Police Officer
• Jeff Kosmicki – Newberg Law Enforcement Professional
• Scott Jones – Ret. Newberg Police Sgt., Police Academy Instructor
• Art Pohl – Ret. Newberg, Dundee Police Officer
• Lee Erickson – Ret. Oregon State Police, Major
• Thomas Lilienthal – Internet Crimes Against Children Professional
• Kristin Twenge – ODOT Law Enforcement Professional
• Shandie Johnson – Sherman County Justice of the Peace

Many of Oregon’s law enforcement leaders shared why they are endorsing Will Lathrop to lead Oregon’s Department of Justice:

“Will’s proven leadership and international work building effective justice systems, in addition to being a successful prosecutor in Oregon, make him my clear choice to be Oregon’s Attorney General. His ability to partner with others and overcome obstacles to reduce crime is just what Oregon needs right now,” said Ret. Washington Co. Sheriff, Pat Garrett.

“I worked with Will Lathrop early on in his career in Yamhill County. From day one, it was clear that Will had the heart and talent to protect Oregon’s most vulnerable. Will’s entire career has been dedicated to protecting women and children from abuse and exploitation. He is an advocate for victims of crime and a true public servant, not a politician,” said Yamhill Co. District Attorney Brad Berry.

“I am enthusiastically supporting Will Lathrop and trust he will be an Attorney General who will fairly, impartially and independently apply the law. Will is committed to enforcing Oregon’s anti-corruption laws, will investigate the misuse of hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and hold public officials who misuse their office accountable,” said Ret. Clackamas Co. District Attorney John Foote.

“Will Lathrop offers a non-partisan return to professionalism in the Oregon Attorney General’s office. As the only candidate in this race with any prosecutorial experience, Will brings a level of expertise to the role that the other party’s candidate does not have,” said Ret. Clatsop Co. District Attorney Josh Marquis.

“As a child sex abuse prosecutor, Will understands that children must be protected from abuse, online exploitation, and neglect. I trust Will to hold DHS and our foster care system accountable and work with Oregon’s law enforcement community to keep children safe,” said Linn Co. Sheriff Michelle Duncan.

“Will has proactively reached out to learn more about the issues impacting Lane County and is developing the relationships to get to work on day one. Oregon is consistently ranked among the top states for human trafficking; Will has international experience fighting human trafficking that he can apply right here at home. He has a proven law enforcement background and I trust him to enforce Oregon’s laws fairly and work with us to keep our communities safe,” said Lane Co. Sheriff Cliff Harrold.

“Will’s state, national, and international law enforcement experience make him uniquely qualified to lead Oregon’s Department of Justice. I trust Will to stand up for victims of crime and to work with sheriffs and law enforcement leaders across our state to deal with the fentanyl crisis,” said Matt English, Hood River Co. Sheriff & Former Oregon State Sheriff Association President.

“Will’s experience in Africa protecting women and children from violence, human trafficking, and forced labor give him the tools to take on a highly sophisticated, and organized drug trade. Will Lathrop is the leader Oregon needs to hold drug traffickers accountable,” said Marion Co. Sheriff Nick Hunter.

“Will is a true leader and the most qualified candidate Oregon has had for attorney general in decades. As the Past President of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, I know that cities across Oregon can trust Will to listen to their concerns, work with them on the ground, and deploy the resources of the Department of Justice to keep our cities safe. That is why I am supporting Will Lathrop for Oregon Attorney General,” said Jim Ferraris, Ret. Woodburn Chief of Police, Past President of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police.

“Multnomah County residents and Oregonians alike are in dire need of leaders who will prioritize public safety and enforce the law. Will Lathrop will work diligently with local law enforcement to protect Oregonians from drugs, violence, and crime plaguing our streets,” said Ret. Multnomah Co. Sheriff Bob Skipper.

“As the former Medford Chief of Police and current Mayor, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of soft-on-crime policies and how they affect our local community. Additionally, I have seen how fentanyl and the opioid crisis have ravaged our county.  These issues must be appropriately addressed by our state leaders and require state and local collaboration with law enforcement to get to the heart of this crisis. Will Lathrop is the only candidate in this race with the experience to get that done,” said Ret. Medford Chief of Police, and current Medford Mayor, Randy Sparacino.

“With both his experience as a prosecutor in child sex abuse cases in Oregon, as well as his time in Africa overseeing operations to protect children in critical situations, Will Lathrop has the experience, drive, and passion that our state needs to turn the tide and start winning the fight against child sex abusers, and save our children from the cycle of abuse,” said Thomas Lilienthal, Internet Crimes Against Children Professional.

Will’s priorities include tackling organized crime including Oregon’s drug trafficking crisis, protecting children from abuse and exploitation, and combating public corruption.

More information about Will Lathrop, his priorities for a safer Oregon, and a full list of endorsements can be found at www.WillLathrop.com.