John Hummel, a former Bend City Councilor who practiced criminal law in Deschutes County for more than a decade, yesterday announced that he is running for Deschutes County District Attorney. In the months leading to the May 20, 2014 election, Hummel says he will make the case to voters that his extensive management and legal experience will best protect families and guarantee justice in our community.
“Many friends and community leaders approached me about the need for strong, professional leadership in the District Attorney’s office.” Hummel said. “At their urging, and after considerable personal reflection, I have decided I can do a better job for the citizens of Deschutes County.”
Dozens of community leaders already have endorsed Hummel. Among them are current and former law enforcement officers and local elected officials, including the mayors of Bend, Redmond and Sisters.
As District Attorney, Hummel will work closely with nonprofit and business groups to implement cost-effective programs that reduce crime rates and help victims.
“Under the current D.A., the office has been plagued with controversies that have cost taxpayers more than $1 million,” Hummel said. “I will never forget that the government’s money is the people’s money. I will ensure that all public resources go to the purposes the people expect: Seeking justice and preventing crimes.”
Hummel brings broad legal and government experience to the District Attorney’s office. Voters twice elected him to Bend City Council (2000 and 2004) while he practiced criminal law in the community and was part of a team that established central Oregon’s first drug court program. He joined the Oregon Bar in 1996, is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and has practiced law in the tribal court of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
His demonstrated legal and management skills helped rebuild the justice system in Liberia, Africa, as it emerged from civil war. On that two-year foreign mission, he managed a staff of 50 and trained police officers, judges and prosecuting attorneys. He also helped establish a sex crimes prosecution unit.
He then served Oregonians as director of Oregon Consensus, a conflict resolution institute based at Portland State University from 2010 to 2012. In that position he managed a staff of 10 and traveled Oregon helping communities to resolve their public policy disputes.
Additional information is available online at the John Hummel for District Attorney website votehummel.com. Contact Hummel at 541-213-9091 and john@votehummel.com. Follow the campaign on Twitter at @votehummel and on Facebook at facebook.com/votehummel.
We endorse John Hummel for Deschutes County District Attorney
Jim Clinton
Mayor of Bend
George Endicott
Mayor of Redmond
Brad Boyd
Mayor of Sisters
Mike Hollern
CEO, Brooks Resources
Bob Eberhard
Owner, Eberhard Dairy
Bill Smith
President, William Smith Properties
Todd Taylor
President and CEO, Taylor Northwest
Charlie Ringo
Attorney
Former State Senator, Judiciary Committee
Andy Jordan
Bend Police Chief, retired
Ed Fitch
Attorney
Former Mayor of Redmond
Jodie Barram
Bend City Councilor
McKibben Womack
City Council President, Sisters
Jon Springer
Former Deschutes County Deputy District Attorney
Martha Murray
President, Saving Grace Board of Directors
Philip Mickel
Retired Oregon State Police Trooper
Jade Mayer
Controller, Brooks Resources
Andy Olson
Republican State Senator
Former leader of House GOP
Oregon State Police Trooper, retired
Bruce Abernethy
Former Mayor of Bend
COCC Board Member
Romy Mortensen
VP Sales and Marketing, Brooks Resources
Betsy Warriner
Service Learning Coordinator, Volunteer Connect
Molly Foerster
Retired high tech executive
David Blair
Former Legislative Assistant and Field Rep., Sen. Ron Wyden
Scott Cooper
President, NeighborImpact
Jennifer Kimble
Former Deschutes County Deputy District Attorney
Ron Foerster
Retired high-tech executive
Lauri Powers
Autism specialist, High Desert Education Service District
Kim Cooper-Findling
Author
James Lewis
City of Redmond Planning Manager
