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With the news out that long-time Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schrunk is contemplating retirement, insiders have mentioned one interesting possible replacement: Lisa Naito.
Naito was a deputy district attorney in Schrunk's office before going on to serve one term on the Metro Council, three terms in the Legislature and 10 years as a Multnomah County commissioner. She left the county board in 2009 after gaining a reputation from the so-called "Mean Girls" era.
A well-placed source tells WW Naito has already begun gauging support in the community for taking over the DA's office. Naito says she hasn't yet done so. But she did not rule out designs on the DA's office.
"I'd take a look at it. I wouldn't rule it out," says Naito, who recently started a consulting firm with former U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-Ore.). "[But] it isn't something I've been actively pursuing."
Sean Riddell, head of the criminal unit at the Oregon Department of Justice, and Rod Underhill, a chief deputy in Schrunk's office, have both expressed interest in becoming DA.
Schrunk, who was first elected in 1980, tells WW he hasn't made a decision on when he'll retire. If he steps down midterm, state law calls for Gov. John Kitzhaber to appoint his replacement.
WWeek 2015