I am writing to express my strong support for the reelection of Wes Williams as circuit court judge in the upcoming election. Before becoming judge, he was my attorney on a variety of matters. Now, having known Wes for over 20 years, I can attest to his unwavering dedication to the law, his integrity and his exceptional qualifications for this crucial role.

Throughout Wes’ tenure as judge, he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to upholding the principles of fairness, impartiality and justice. His extensive legal knowledge, combined with his keen understanding of the law and its application, has enabled him to preside over cases with wisdom and discernment.

Moreover, Wes possesses invaluable qualities that are essential for a judge, including patience, empathy and a profound respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals who come before the court. His compassionate approach to adjudication ensures that each case is heard with care and consideration, regardless of its complexity, magnitude or politics of the parties involved.

Our community faces unprecedented challenges, and we need experienced and principled leaders like Wes to continue serving on the bench. I have full confidence that he will continue to uphold the highest standards of excellence and fairness in his role as a judge.

I urge my fellow community members to join me in supporting Wes Williams’ reelection campaign. His proven track record, unwavering commitment to the law and justice, and profound dedication to our community make him the ideal candidate to continue serving as circuit court judge.

John Cavin

Cove

I met Wes Williams more than 20 years ago and have seen him in many court situations since then. He has had an active and varied civil law practice, has been a successful criminal defense attorney, and has for the last five and a half years been a full-time judge.

Judge Williams has handled hundreds of cases in courts all over Oregon acting as a visiting judge, and has carried a full load of cases in Union and Wallowa counties. He has done an excellent job in all of those venues and has support from judges across the state and from individuals who have appeared before him in court and have been clients of his over the years of his private practice.

Judge Willams has always listened carefully to his clients and to all parties in court since he was elected judge, and he has always carefully applied the facts of the cases before him in line with the rule of law in all cases. In addition, he writes his opinions after careful consideration and legal research.

Judge Williams has a true caring for the people who appear before him in court and can be trusted to apply the facts of the case under the correct law to reach his decision in every case he hears. In sum, Judge Wes Williams has all the qualities required to continue being an excellent judge for our two counties.

I am supporting Wes Williams as judge for Union and Wallowa counties and encourage all voters to reelect him as circuit court judge.

Dan Ousley

Retired district attorney, Wallowa and Wheeler counties

Enterprise

It is a pleasure to write this letter in support of Wes Williams for reelection to the circuit court of Union and Wallowa counties. Judge Williams has a record of making fair and legally correct decisions. Of the numerous decisions that Judge Williams has made, he has had only one decision overturned, and prosecutors have never appealed one of his decisions.

Judge Williams has had over 27 years legal experience, first as a lawyer for 22 years and now as judge for five years. During this time, he has been involved in thousands of criminal and civil cases. He knows his way around a courtroom.

However, it’s not just Judge Williams’ legal experiences that are impressive; it’s also his work ethic, his family values and his passion for the legal profession that gives me confidence that he should be reelected.

Judge Williams is supported by community leaders, small-business owners, farmers, ranchers and citizens throughout both Union and Wallowa counties. He is deliberate and committed to the rule of law.

Please join me in voting to re-elect Judge Wes Williams.

Chris Geyer

Joseph

I support reelecting Judge Wes Williams this May. He has a sound grasp of both criminal and civil law, having served as an attorney in private practice for many years and currently as a Union and Wallowa county judge.

I was impressed to learn that out of the thousands of decisions Judge Williams has made, including both civil and criminal cases, only one was overturned by the Court of Appeals. Prosecutors have never even appealed a decision of Judge Williams’. Not once.

That’s why I was dismayed to hear that our district attorney, appointed DA by Kitzhaber in 2014, consistently disqualifies Judge Williams from hearing criminal cases. In doing so, she purposely chooses to assign them to Union and Wallowa counties’ other judge, another gubernatorial appointee by Kate Brown. Why would that be?

That question led me to ask about the practice of disqualifying judges and I learned that Senate Bill 807 went into effect this last Jan. 1, allowing judges to challenge any motion for disqualification that would deny assignments to criminal or juvenile delinquency dockets. The right to disqualify is protected, but now judges can rightfully challenge abuse and overreach that serve agendas rather than justice.

I look forward to Judge Williams winning reelection and then challenging the DA’s disqualifications in a SB 807 hearing.

Sharon A. Barrick

La Grande

The Observer will run endorsement letters of no more than 350 words. We institute a deadline for letters to the editor so we can be fair with all the letters we receive and allow for responses before Election Day, if necessary. We run local letters of endorsement on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit your endorsement letters to the editor by 5 p.m. Friday, April 26. You can email them to news@lagrandeobserver.com or mail them to The Observer, Attn.: Andrew Cutler, 911 Jefferson Ave., La Grande, OR 97850. We will publish our last endorsement letters on Saturday, May 18. Any letters received after the April 26 deadline will not be published in print or online.