Jared Boyd, a Union County defense attorney, stands in front of the county's courthouse, in La Grande, on Aug. 29, 2022. Boyd is running for circuit court judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit in the May 2024 primary election.

LA GRANDE — A Union County defense attorney has entered the race for circuit court judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit.

Jared Boyd, of La Grande, announced Monday, Sept. 11, his intention to run for the position currently held by Circuit Court Judge Wes Williams in the May 2024 primary election, according to a press release.

“Our two counties need a judge who is up to the task of being fair and impartial, and able to handle a full load of cases and work full time,” Boyd said in the release. “I am the only candidate for this position who can do that.”

The press release relayed the following information on Boyd’s background and law career.

A third-generation Eastern Oregonian, Boyd has lived and practiced for his entire 15-year legal career in Union and Wallowa counties. He graduated from Willamette Law School in 2008. During law school he clerked with the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division and worked as a certified law clerk with the Marion County District Attorney Juvenile Division.

Boyd’s first job as a licensed attorney was as a prosecutor in the Union County District Attorney’s Office. As a senior deputy district attorney he was one of the primary litigators prosecuting thousands of cases from minor crimes to major felonies including homicide, as well as juvenile offenses, the release stated.

Boyd left the district attorney’s office in 2015 to start his own firm. Since 2015, he has managed a solo general law practice in La Grande handling a wide variety of cases, including criminal defense, public defense, litigation, real estate, business advisory issues, employment and general civil work.

Currently, Boyd serves as the defense bar representative on the Union County Drug Treatment Court.

He is also the current vice president of the Union County Bar, having previously served as secretary-treasurer and president.

The earliest day to file for the 2024 primary is Sept. 14, according to the secretary of state’s website.

The 10th Judicial District of Oregon is a combined district covering both Union and Wallowa counties and has two elected judges, Williams and presiding judge Thomas Powers. According to the secretary of state, both positions are up for reelection in 2024.