It’s election time – a Primary Election with several important positions being decided. Here’s the Tillamook County Pioneer”s “Questions for the Candidates.” This provides our communities with our expanded election coverage and an introduction to the candidates with an unbiased view to compare the candidates side-by-side on important issues. All candidates were provided with the same questions; the questions were provided by a wide variety of Tillamook County residents. If you have other “questions for the candidates” – please forward them to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net.
Circuit Court Judge, 27th District, Position #2
There are two candidates for this position – Alex Hamalian and Matt Lyon
Alex Hamalian
1. Why should we vote for you?
As an attorney for 30 years, I have been serving Tillamook County since 2002. I spent a decade as Chief Public Defender and since 2014, have been in private practice handling complex civil, criminal, juvenile, and domestic relations cases. My experience spans every part of the courtroom. I have served as a Circuit Court Judge Pro Tem, a County Administrative Hearings Officer Pro Tem, and on legislative committees that improved access to indigent defense and streamlined the grand jury process. I understand not just the law, but how the system is supposed to function when it is working well.
Beyond the courtroom, I have invested in the community, volunteering with community organizations such as the Tillamook SAFE Graduation Program, the Oregon High School Classroom Law Project, and the Tillamook Elks.
As a husband and father, I believe the justice system must prioritize both community safety and constitutional rights. Those are not competing values, they are the foundation of public trust.
Over that time, I have earned the respect of community leaders, law enforcement, local attorneys, and members of the judiciary across Tillamook county and state.
My extensive experience, sound judgment and independence has earned me the endorsement of many who have held this position, including Rick Roll, Neal Lemery, and Jan Wyers. I will apply the law fairly, without political influence, and focus on what matters most: protecting the people of Tillamook County and upholding the Constitution.
2. Top 5 issues facing Tillamook County
- Underfunded or non-existent Drug, Veteran and Treatment Courts
- Public Safety
- Lack of consistent prosecutorial follow-through
- Homelessness and its impact on quality of life
- Maintaining a fair, transparent, and trusted court system
3. How would you solve these issues?
- Expand Treatment Courts
Our county has been underfunded and ignored when it comes to resources available for treatment courts compared to those counties along the I-5 corridor. Tillamook County lacks adequate access to specialty courts. I will advocate for resources and work with stakeholders to expand treatment-based alternatives that reduce repeat offenses. - Public Safety
Tillamook deserves a judge who will work with other Tillamook leaders to urge the Legislature to adequately fund vital public safety and judicial priorities of the county.
- Ensuring due process and prosecutorial follow-through
The system works best when each role is respected. Prosecutors bring cases based on probable cause, defense attorneys advocate for the accused, and judges act as neutral arbiters. I will ensure the court remains focused on facts, law, and fairness so that harm is addressed and justice is consistently applied. I will make myself available for preliminary hearings so cases are heard openly and victims and defendants alike have their day in court, rather than bypassing key steps in the process. - Addressing homelessness
When criminal conduct involves a homeless person, courts must balance accountability with solutions. Where appropriate, I will incorporate treatment and services into sentencing to reduce recidivism and help individuals stabilize. - Maintain and expand our court system to be more fair, transparent, and trusted
Rural communities are often overlooked. I will use my legislative experience to ensure Tillamook County receives fair attention and resources while maintaining a system that reflects our community’s values and ensure the people of Tillamook County are not ignored when they or their loved ones need help.
4. Tell us what the best things are about Tillamook County.
To live in a community which supports one another through good times and bad and works together to lift one another up and move forward always striving for better days. I’ve seen firsthand the strength and compassion of this community and I would be honored to serve as the next Circuit Court judge for Tillamook county.
Tillamook is a very special place for Katie and I as well as thousands of other Oregonians to live, work, and play. As a judge, I will work to ensure we have the best Circuit Court in the state so the people of Tillamook can enjoy all there is to experience in our county.
5. We are experiencing the erosion of morals and trust in our society. What are your guiding morals?
The law sets a minimum standard for conduct, but I believe we should always strive to exceed it. My guiding principle is simple: live up to the standard of integrity and responsibility expected by those who raised me.
I believe in keeping my word, leading by example, and contributing to my community—whether through my work, restoring homes, or creating opportunities for young people. Values matter most when they are consistently practiced. I have always made it a point in every aspect of my life to do what I have said I would do. Whatever success I have achieved in my life is because my word is my bond. Set valuable goals and standards then adhere to them. Teach by example.
6. Why should citizens trust you?
Trust is built through action and consistency. Throughout my career, I have taken on responsibility and followed through from building and managing the Public Defender Consortium to serving this community in multiple legal roles.
I ask people for their vote because I want to make Tillamook County the family friendly and safe community it was when I first started practicing law here in 2002. I am committed to restoring a justice system that is fair, accountable, and focused on the people it serves.
7. How will you make a difference?
I will serve as a bridge between law enforcement, the courts, and treatment providers to ensure the system works as a whole. My focus will be on collaboration, fairness, and outcomes that improve community safety.
Any job or cause I have ever been tasked with I have taken by the horns and completed the job at hand. One example: establishing a public Defender Consortium and running it for a decade, from 2004-2014.
8. Speaking of differences, government and politics are more divided than ever, how will you work across the aisle, with others that have differing views?
Judges must remain nonpartisan. I have not been affiliated with a political party for over 15 years. My role will be to apply the law impartially while advocating for the needs of Tillamook County in a fair and professional manner.
9. Favorite books
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Danny, the Champion of the World
- The Poisoner’s Handbook
10. What are your hobbies and interests?
Spending time with family, Riding motorcycles (both on and off road), Tinkering and restoring vintage automobiles, Flying Airplane
11. Tell us about a significant time in your life and how it impacted your life.
When 18 I had graduated from high school and was working in my dream job as an automotive machinist/mechanic. Like many young adults, my life revolved around playing bass guitar in a band and building cars and motorcycles to see how fast they would go. My friends and I were confident in the fact that we had each other and we thought life would never change, never end.
In 1988, a close friend and mentor was murdered in senseless and unprovoked act of violence. One second my friend was there the next he was gone forever. I never got to say goodbye. I never got to say a lot of things. In the years that have followed, I have come to find that life is precious. Live life to your fullest, let every loved one around you know you care about them, don’t waste your time with poseurs, and always strive to make the community around you the community you want to live in.
Please write a haiku about Spring:
Spring sprung, green and young
Longer days bask in sun rays
Soon summer arrives
Matt Lyon
1. Why should we vote for you?
My broad legal experience makes me the best candidate for Circuit Court Judge. I have been a member of the Oregon State Bar for over 20 years. I have substantial experience in Criminal Law, Family Law, Juvenile Dependency, Juvenile Delinquency, Civil Commitments, and Protective Orders. I have handled over 2000 cases in the Tillamook County Circuit Court.
Through this experience I have had the opportunity to see the impact of the court system. The way people are treated, the way decisions are made, and the fairness of the process all have a real impact on individuals, families, and our community as a whole.
My experience has given me insight into how important it is for a judge to be prepared, thoughtful, and impartial. Since 2020, I’ve served as a Justice of the Peace Pro Tem here in Tillamook County, giving me experience on the bench and a strong understanding of the responsibility that comes with that role. I am also the defense attorney appointed to the Tillamook County Local Public Safety Coordinating Counsel and the Tillamook Courthouse Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Tillamook County truly is a special place. My family and I have built our life here. This is our home, I have lived here for the last 10 years and I care deeply about this community.
2. What are the top 5 most important issues facing Tillamook County?
Livability, public safety, homelessness, middle-income housing, and drugs.
3. How would you solve these issues?
It’s important to note that judges don’t make policy. However, there are still ways that I can help make an impact on these issues. Those include holding people accountable for their choices, sending people to treatment when appropriate, and engaging in the work of our treatment courts.
4. Tell us what the best things are about Tillamook County.
The people, it is a great place to raise children, the way the community comes together and supports each other, and the variety of outdoor activities.
5. We are experiencing the erosion of morals and trust in our society. What are your guiding morals?
I believe in rule of law, personal accountability, and regardless of what people have done, everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.
6. Why should citizens trust you, and how would you rebuild trust in government?
Citizens should trust a judge to be fair, impartial, and committed to applying the law consistently. Throughout my legal career, I have worked to treat people with respect, to listen carefully, and to approach each matter thoughtfully and without bias. Those are the same principles I will bring to the bench.
Public trust in the courts is built through everyday actions, by ensuring that all who come before the court are heard, that proceedings are conducted with professionalism, and that decisions are based on the law and the facts. I can contribute to trust by maintaining a courtroom that is respectful, accessible, and consistent in its application of the law.
If elected, I will be committed to upholding these standards and to serving the community with integrity, fairness, and respect for the judicial role.
7. How do you think you can make a difference?
Throughout my career, I have seen how important it is for people to feel they are being heard and to understand the court process, even when the outcome is difficult. I believe a judge can make a meaningful difference by listening carefully and by applying the law consistently and thoughtfully.
I will also work to promote a courtroom environment that is professional, accessible, and efficient, so that cases are resolved in a timely manner while still receiving the consideration they deserve.
8. Speaking of differences, government and politics are more divided than ever, how will you work across the aisle, with others that have differing views?
As a judge it’s important to be an impartial and fair magistrate. I can make my courtroom a safe space for all people and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
9. What are your three favorite books?
Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes, and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.
10. What are your hobbies and interests?
Spending time with my family, hiking, and surfing.
11. Tell us about a significant time in your life and how it impacted your life.
My first job after law school was as a Judicial Clerk to a judge in Clackamas County. I was able to work closely with the judge. I learned how the courts work and the practice of law. After working with the judge for a few years, it was time to move on and work as a lawyer. At that time, the economy was in a downturn and firms were not hiring. I took the risk of opening my own law practice which I successfully transitioned to Tillamook in 2015 where it has continued to thrive.
Opening my own practice during a challenging economic time required resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to solve problems independently. These skills are critical on the bench. Building and growing a practice here in Tillamook has also strengthened my connection to this community and deepened my understanding of the real-world impact of court decisions. Together, these experiences have given me the perspective, discipline, and commitment to fairness that I will bring to serving as a judge.
12. Please write a haiku about Spring.
Rain falls, grass grows tall
Cows frolic in field, freedom
Sunny days outside
Any additional comments?
My endorsements include:
Tillamook County Circuit Court Judge Jonathan Hill
Tillamook County Circuit Court Judge Mari Trevino
Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Dawn McIntosh
Oregon State Senator Suzanne Weber
Tillamook County Commissioner Mary Faith Bell
Tillamook Mayor Aaron Burris
Albright Kittell PC
Attorney Dustin Johnson
Attorney John Tuthill (ret.)