6 express interest in being a Sixth Circuit Court Judge
By Terry Murry on Monday, June 8th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The Oregon State Bar Association has released the names of those interested in serving as judge for the Sixth Circuit Court serving Morrow and Umatilla counties. Gov. Tina Kotek called for interested attorneys to step forward to fill the seat that will be left vacant by Judge Rob Collins at the end of the year.
Those who have submitted materials for the vacancy are (in alphabetical order) Hermiston Judge Pro tem Cameron Bendixsen, Umatilla County Deputy District Attorney Jameson Hayes, Pendleton attorney Carey Meerdink, Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson, Hermiston attorney Phillip Spicerkuhn, and Pendleton attorney Jill Weygandt.
The association stated in its communication that comments on the candidates can be made to Kotek’s general counsel at richard.lane@oregon.gov.
Collins, having reached mandatory retirement age, will step down on Dec. 31. The person appointed by the governor will serve the remainder of his term and then can choose to run for election.
