Marissa Gonzales, left, shakes the hand of 6th Judicial District Treatment Court Judge Joanna Marikos in late summer 2023 in Pendleton. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in February 2024 appointed Marikos to the circuit court bench for the district, which encompass Umatilla and Morrow counties. She faces a runoff in November against attorney John Ballard.

PENDLETON — The public has an opportunity Friday, April 19, to question the candidates seeking election to the bench in the circuit court for Umatilla and Morrow counties.

The local Bar Association is hosting the forum 5:30-7 p.m. at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. Attorney Kit Morgan, president of the Bar for the 6th Judicial District, said this will be the first in a series of forums for the candidates running in the local circuit court judge races.

“People can come and they can ask the candidates questions directly,” he said.

Five judges are on the bench in the district, and two of the seats are up for election.

Judge Robert Collins is seeking reelection to Position 1 and faces a challenge from Thomas Creasing, municipal judge for Irrigon.

Judge Joanna Marikos is running to keep the Position 5 seat. Gov. Tina Kotek in 2023 appointed her to succeed Christopher Brauer, who retired from the circuit court. Three other candidates also are running for the seat: John Ballard, of Hermiston; Jameson Hayes, of Pendleton; and Jill Weygandt, also of Pendleton.

Ballard and Weygandt are attorneys in private practice and have represented criminal defendants. Hayes is a Umatilla County deputy district attorney.

Morgan said he is planning subsequent forums before ballots go out May 1, including in Boardman.

“I think it’s important that we try to get in as many communities as we can,” he said.