Top Marion County prosecutor announces district attorney run, DA Clarkson to retire

A top local prosecutor is running to be Marion County’s next district attorney.

Brendan Murphy, chief deputy district attorney for the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, announced Tuesday he is seeking election to be the county’s next district attorney.

After working for the Marion County District Attorney’s Office for 18 years, Murphy is seeking the office’s top position, the statement announcing his candidacy said.

“I didn’t become a prosecutor, to become a (district attorney), I became a prosecutor to be a prosecutor, but as I became farther along in my career, I found that I really enjoyed policy conversations and system conversations.” Murphy said in an interview.

The thought of running for the position first came to mind around three years ago, he said.

The statement also confirmed that Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson will not seek reelection and plans to retire when her current term expires in 2026. She is supporting Murphy.

“I am proud to endorse him as our next district attorney,” Clarkson said. “He has been a proven leader in our office for years now and he has demonstrated that he has the experience, integrity and vision necessary to protect the values that make our community safe and strong.”

The district attorney is a nonpartisan elected position with a four-year term.

Clarkson has served as the county’s district attorney since being appointed by then-Gov. Kate Brown in 2018, according to previous Salem Reporter coverage. She won her race for reelection in 2022 against Spencer Todd, a local public defender.

“Paige is not only my boss, she’s been a mentor and she’s a really close personal friend. I’m blessed that her and I have had the relationship we’ve had over the years,” Murphy said. “I will miss her, but I’m really excited about the next generation of lawyers growing up in our office.”

The election is next May. So far, no one else has filed for the position, state records show.

According to election filings, Murphy officially filed for the position July 10.

Murphy started his nearly two-decade career in the Marion County District Attorney’s Office as a law clerk in 2006, he said.

Before joining the office, Murphy worked at the Oregon Supreme Court for former Justice Rives Kistler.

His career so far has been spent “fighting for victims, ensuring meaningful accountability for offenders and advocating for public safety,” his campaign website said.

While prosecuting cases as a deputy district attorney, Murphy also oversees the office’s divisions, which include criminal prosecution, victim assistance and juvenile cases.

He manages the office’s $19 million budget, helps manage specialty courts and sits on multiple state advisory groups, his website said.

Murphy said he has three goals if elected: better communicating the office’s work to the public, supporting law enforcement in their patrols detecting livability crimes and developing long-term strategic plans, specifically focusing on support for victims.

“How, over the next three and four years specifically, are we going to continue to protect victim rights as we’ve seen (Victims of Crime Act) dollars at the federal level be threatened?” Murphy said.

Federal funding for crime victim services was recently cut, decreasing local funding for agencies like the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. Murphy said he wants to prioritize and plan for continuing resources for victims despite the funding loss.

Another priority of his is improving mentorship and retention in the office after it lost several higher-level employees in recent years.

The office has provided good mentorship and retention, Murphy said, but he wants to boost those efforts by “giving our lawyers the tools they need to be successful prosecutors.”

Although district attorney is a nonpartisan position, the job brings political issues like immigration to prosecutors through their cases.

A murder victim’s family once expressed concern to Murphy over appearing in court to watch proceedings over immigration fears.

“That’s a tragedy in its own little world. Our court systems need to remain open, and they need to remain equal justice for all,” he said.

Regardless of citizenship or immigration status, Murphy said he wants crime victims to access resources and participate in the court process.

Murphy’s priorities for district attorney also include making communities feel safe and providing accountability while offering “second chances, if appropriate,” his campaign website said.

“I will continue to seek jail and prison sentences when dangerous criminals victimize this community,” his website reads. “However, for low-level offenses, I also believe in opportunities for change. That’s why I’ll continue to support Marion County’s amazing treatment courts and diversion programs.”

Last fall, Murphy helped lead the county’s new program to keep drug users out of jail when possession was criminalized again.

Another one of his listed priorities is advocating for victims and expanding resources for those affected by crime.

“In the upcoming weeks and months, I look forward to connecting with families, and continue the discussion about what our DA’s office should look like in the future,” Murphy said on Facebook.

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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