Circuit court judge candidates for Umatilla and Morrow counties answer public questions April 19, 2024, during a candidates forum at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. Incumbent Judge Joanna Marikos, right, lost to John Ballard in the general election Nov. 5, 2024, for Position 5 on the 6th Judicial District Court.

UMATILLA, MORROW COUNTIES — Circuit court judicial candidate Joanna Marikos has faced two lawsuits in the past two years because of overdue credit card bills.

Marikos, the incumbent for Position 5 of the 6th Judicial District, has been the defendant in two lawsuits since 2022 after failing to pay off her credit cards. Both were dismissed with prejudice — meaning they cannot be brought again — after she paid the debt.

The debt built up when she experienced financial challenges during the pandemic, Marikos said, as her contract work suddenly paused. Additionally, she said it was unclear what the collecting agency was because she kept being transferred around to different companies.

“It would be, sometimes, a little difficult to figure out exactly who to identify to specifically deal with,” she said. “Once it comes to the point that they file, whoever files, then it’s very clear who’s actually handling the matter, and then at that point I just resolved it.”

Marikos said she hopes voters understand sometimes “life happens” for her just as it does anyone else, but the important thing is to move forward responsibly. In her case, that meant paying the debt once the creditor was clear.

“The experience allows me to be sensitive to people that are appearing in front of me,” she said. “I think that being able to bring compassion and understanding, to be able to listen and really hear what’s happening with people that appear in front of me, makes me more likely to give fair and equitable decisions in matters.”

History in the county

Marikos on Friday, Oct. 25, submitted an open letter via the East Oregonian to residents in Umatilla and Morrow counties and addressed claims she hasn’t been in the region for 45 years.

Marikos grew up in Pendleton and Hermiston before attending Gonzaga University in Spokane, from which she graduated in 1984, according to the letter. Then, she moved home and “spent the next 10 years of my life participating in my family’s farming operation.”

In 1997, she graduated from Willamette University College of Law in Salem. Then, she said, “for 22 years after being licensed I represented clients in state and federal matters.”

Seven years ago, she said, she returned to Eastern Oregon, where she continued her work as an attorney. In 2022, she was hired as a circuit court judge, pro tem, for the 6th Judicial District.

“My opponent did not apply for the opportunity to serve in this position as circuit judge, pro tem,” she said in the letter.

Gov. Tina Kotek earlier this year appointed Marikos to serve in Position 5 following the retirement of Judge Christopher Brauer. Her opponent for the upcoming election, John Ballard, also applied for the seat, she said.

“Through my life experiences, good and bad, I have learned that everyone deserves to be respected and treated honorably,” she said. “Therefore, I am committed to treating all who appear in my courtroom with respect and without bias or prejudice.”

Marikos faces Ballard for the position of circuit court judge in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, election. Oregonians can drop off their ballots by 8 p.m. on election night or mail them so they are postmarked on or before Election Day.