Police are investigating a possible arson attack outside the home of a Blue City mayoral candidate who has taken a tough-on-crime stance.
Rene Gonzalez is a member of the Portland City Council and is running for mayor in 2024 and is running a campaign. concentrated on tackling the city's “soaring crime and out-of-control homelessness.”portland police bureau It was opened An arson investigation was conducted after Gonzalez's family's car caught fire and was destroyed Friday morning.
Investigators believe the fire was set “intentionally.” according to to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Mike Schmidt, the district attorney for a county in Portland, called the possible arson an “act of political vandalism,” Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
gonzalez put out A statement hours later confirmed there were no casualties in the fire and thanked Portland police for their “quick response and assistance.”
A similar incident occurred in 2022 after Gonzalez won a city council election. A man described by the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office as an “anarchist” wearing a black face mask led a disturbance during a protest three blocks from Gonzalez's campaign office on KGW 8 on election night. arrested for disorderly conduct. report.
Chief Gonzalez's statement regarding this morning's incident is below.
Mr. González's declaration regarding the state of emergency: pic.twitter.com/Od1IAjVWKO
— Commissioner Rene Gonzalez (@CommissionerRG) January 12, 2024
Gonzalez, a businessman and lifelong Democrat, won his City Council seat by portraying his opponent as anti-police at a time when violent crime and homelessness were on the rise in Portland, Oregon Live reported. Reported. report. Gonzalez increased the number of police officers in the city and worked to crack down on property crimes.
Mr. Gonzalez is employing similar rhetoric when running for mayor. He recently spoke out in favor of a city ordinance banning drug use. according to to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“I am running for mayor to continue the work we started on crime, homelessness, the drug crisis, and economic revitalization stronger than ever,” his campaign page states. ing. read.
Gonzalez's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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