Judicial candidates explain what distinguishes them during candidate forum
LA GRANDE — Judicial candidates had the opportunity to tell voters what sets them apart from each other during the Union County Chamber of Commerce forum on Tuesday, May 7.
There are two positions up for election on the 10th Judicial Circuit Court, which serves both Union and Wallowa counties. Judge Thomas Powers is running uncontested for Position 1. He has served since his appointment to the bench in 2017 and has been the presiding judge for much of that time.
Jared Boyd, a Union County defense attorney, is running against incumbent Wes Williams for Position 2 in the May 2024 primary election. Williams was elected to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in 2018.
Candidates were asked what distinguishes them from their fellow candidates and why residents should ultimately vote for them. They also answered questions about the impact House Bill 4002 will have on the local court system, the public defender shortage and judicial independence.
What sets you apart?
Both Williams and Boyd pointed to their experience as what sets them apart from each other.
Williams said that he chose to build his general law practice and raise his family in Union County. He ran his law practice for 22 years and during this time did a variety of work — everything from drafting wills and divorce ligation to setting up small businesses and trying murder cases.
“It’s really the experience that distinguishes me from my opponent and, of course, I’ve been judge for five years and four months,” he said.
Williams added that he has an “incredible record of making fair and legally correct decisions.”
Boyd replied that while his opponent may have seven more years of experience, he is not fresh out of law school himself. He has practiced law in Union County for 15 years — first with the district attorney’s office and then through his solo practice where he has been a public defense attorney.
“The level of experience I just don’t think you’re going to find anywhere else,” Boyd said of the breadth of his work as a lawyer.
On average, Boyd said he handled 350 cases a year as a prosecutor and 200 cases a year as a public defender. He added that he’s also done private and civil work because “as a small town attorney, you don’t really get to choose.”
He said that his understanding of how the behavioral health system, prosecution, defense and the court system all work will be especially beneficial with handling the fentanyl crisis.
Powers’ answer to this question drew a laugh from the audience.
“I think the thing that distinguishes me from my opponents is that I don’t have an opponent,” he said.
Powers moved to Wallowa County in 2011, but was still part of a national practice. He traveled around the country litigating and trying cases. Powers eventually opened a private practice locally and started doing public defense work, which is what brought him to Union County.
The presiding judge was appointed to the circuit court in 2017 before running for election the following year. No one chose to oppose him on the ballot then or now.
“I continue to think that’s a vote of confidence from the local bar, from people that participate in the court process and from the county,” Powers said. “And I appreciate that deeply.”
Over the next six years, the presiding judge said he wants to continue working with stakeholders and partners to make sure the court is involved in helping the community solve its problems and is responsive to what the people in the county need.
