Portland DA's defeat underscores challenges Democrats face on crime

The defeat of a progressive prosecutor in an Oregon district attorney’s race this week is underscoring the delicate dance Democrats face on the issues of crime and public safety ahead of November. 

Prosecutor Mike Schmidt, who served in the Portland area, was ousted from his role after a primary challenge from one of his own colleagues, who pitched himself as tougher on crime than his boss and ultimately won by a margin of roughly eight points. 

It was a remarkable rise-and-fall...