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Public defender Spencer Todd announces bid for Marion County DA

(Courtesy/Spencer Todd)

Spencer Todd, a public defense attorney in Marion and Polk counties, announced his candidacy for Marion County District Attorney Tuesday.

Todd’s bid makes him the first candidate to challenge the incumbent district attorney, Paige Clarkson, since Gov. Kate Brown appointed her in 2018.

Todd said he decided six months ago to start preparing to run for the seat. The race will be decided after the May 17, 2022 primary election.

“The criminal justice system; it’s symptoms-focused, it’s ‘What’s the aftermath of the crime, we need to punish that,’ instead of, ‘Hey, how can we make this maybe not happen as often systemically,” he said.

Todd’s priorities, according to a Tuesday press release, include providing more support to crime victims, working with social service agencies to address drug addiction and mental health issues, and pursuing rehabilitation for non-violent offenders instead of costly incarceration to help save tax dollars.

“If what we’re doing worked, incarcerating people to as much extent as possible, America would be the safest country in the world, because we do it more than anybody else. But it doesn’t work,” Todd said.

Todd was born and raised in Salem and Turner, according to a Tuesday press release. He graduated from Salem High School, got his bachelor of arts from Willamette University and earned his law degree from Willamette’s School of Law.

He has worked as a public defense attorney in Marion and Polk counties for the past eight years.

“Law enforcement is unable to solve so many of the root causes of crime, including drug addiction, mental illness, and homelessness,” Dr. Megan McNeal, a forensic psychologist in the Portland area who is endorsing Todd, wrote in the press release.

“These concerns cannot be adequately resolved with prosecution and incarceration. Spencer really understands the complexities of these issues and will work with community groups and social service agencies to make our streets truly safer,” McNeal said.

Correction: This article was updated to correct Spencer Todd’s name in the headline. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.

-Ardeshir Tabrizian