Brendan P. Murphy, chief deputy district attorney in Marion County, is running for district attorney in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan race appears on ballots across Marion County, including Salem.

Murphy has spent his entire legal career at the Marion County District Attorney's Office, according to the Statesman Journal. He said he wants to focus on families, violent crime and juveniles. "I believe in accountability, make no mistake. However I also believe we should not put everybody in prison forever and second chances matter," Murphy told the Statesman Journal.

Candidate information

  • Name: Brendan P. Murphy
  • Office sought: Marion County District Attorney
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Ballot status: Certified for the general election
  • Education: Undergraduate degree, University of Connecticut; law degree, University of Oregon (2007)

Outgoing Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson endorsed Murphy, according to the Statesman Journal. Murphy grew up in Connecticut before his family moved to Oregon.

Experience and public service

Murphy joined the Marion County District Attorney's Office as a law clerk in 2007, according to the Statesman Journal. He rose through several roles there. He managed the juvenile division and served as supervisor and trial team lead of the child sexual abuse team. He became chief deputy district attorney in 2023.

Outside the office, Murphy has served on the Oregon Youth Authority Safety Task Force, the Oregon Juvenile Justice Policy Commission and the Oregon Supreme Court's Juvenile Justice Mental Health Task Force, according to the district attorney's office.

On the issues

Criminal justice and public safety

Murphy said on his campaign website that he would continue to follow the law without bias or political influence. He said he would work to maintain victim services, improve how the office communicates with the public and push for fair treatment of crime victims in court.

Murphy said he would keep working to hold offenders accountable while supporting law enforcement and victims. He also said he would support Marion County's treatment courts and diversion programs. "Effective, firm accountability is the key to public safety," Murphy said on his campaign website.

The Cherry City Chronicle candidate questionnaire was sent to Brendan P. Murphy's campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 12, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from his public campaign website and public records.