Gavel 2

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge David Orr held an 11-point lead Tuesday night in the primary race for Jackson County Circuit Court judge, Position 9, according to unofficial results released Tuesday night.

Orr, who is vying for his second term on the bench, had 55.63% of the vote compared to 44.14% for Johan Pietila, senior assistant counsel for the county. Orr had 19,347 votes to Pietila’s 15,353, according to unofficial results.

“I wish Johan the best of success in his legal career,” Orr told the Rogue Valley Times in a text message.

In a text message, Pietila thanked his supporters in what appears to be the end his campaign.

“Though the results did not align with our hopes, democracy has spoken, and I respect the decision of the voters,” Pietila said. “I extend my sincere congratulations to Judge Orr and wish him the best as he continues in his role.”

Pietila added, “moving forward, I wish nothing but success and prosperity for our judiciary and our community.”

“This chapter may be ending, but my commitment to justice and the betterment of our community remains steadfast,” he said.

Throughout the campaign, both candidates have said they would be fair and impartial in deciding cases — a quality that emerged as a campaign issue in this race.

That is because Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Benjamin Bloom, who is running unopposed, signed an order rescinding a prior presiding judge’s 2021 order disqualifying Orr from hearing criminal matters, which previously occurred at the request of Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert.

In rescinding the order, Bloom cited Senate Bill 807, which changes judicial recusal procedures, and has denied rescinding the order as a political favor for Orr, which Heckert has alleged based on conversations she said she had with Bloom.

Heckert said she believes Orr and Bloom violated the judicial code of conduct and has filed complaints against the men, which will be reviewed by the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability.

In response to Heckert’s complaint, Orr said in an email that he cannot comment on the allegations, but added that he believes the outgoing district attorney is trying to influence the outcome of the primary election.

Pietila called Orr’s previous disqualification “deeply concerning” and questioned the sitting judge’s integrity by pointing out Orr’s entry in the voters’ pamphlet claims he hears all types of cases even though, at the time, he did not.

“The ability for a judge to be able to participate in all caseloads is important for this publicly funded position, lest a sitting judge become merely a paid figurehead,” Pietila said.

Unopposed candidates keep posts

Judge Benjamin Bloom, Position 7, and Judge Laura Cromwell, Position 4, ran unopposed in the primary and kept their posts.

Meanwhile, Judge Sara Collins, Position 8, and Judge Jeremy Markiewicz, Position 1, are running unopposed on the Nov. 5 ballot.