TILLAMOOK — Alex Hamalian, a longtime Tillamook County attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience, is running for Circuit Court judge, Position 2, in the May 19 election.
Hamalian says decades of practicing law in Tillamook County — including criminal defense, complex civil litigation and running the county’s public defender consortium — have prepared him to serve on the bench. He practiced law in the county starting in 2002 and established the public defender consortium in 2004, which he operated for 10 years.
“I really enjoy the mental complexity of the issues that a trial judge regularly deals with,” Hamalian says. “The idea of being able to go to work every day and think about complex legal issues is really refreshing.”
Hamalian, who also serves as a circuit court judge pro tempore, says public safety remains a top concern for Tillamook County residents. He notes the county was once among the safest on the North Coast but has seen increases in drug-related crime, overdoses and homelessness in recent years.
“Public safety is one of the primary concerns,” Hamalian says. “I have that too. I have two young kids.”
Hamalian criticizes what he describes as insufficient prosecutorial follow-through on criminal cases. He supports greater use of preliminary hearings in felony cases as an alternative to grand jury proceedings, saying the process allows victims, witnesses and defendants to be heard while giving judges a clearer view of the evidence.
“Everybody that’s a stakeholder in the system has the right to be heard,” Hamalian says. “Victims especially are feeling like they’re left out of the process.”
Hamalian also calls for specialized treatment courts. He supports expanding the existing therapeutic court to better address distinct needs, including creation of a veterans court for military veterans struggling with service-related issues.
“These people are our neighbors,” Hamalian says. “When that service has caused them circumstances where they have issues that can be treated, we need to address those underlying issues.”
On the fentanyl and methamphetamine crisis, Hamalian stresses the potency and danger of the drugs, particularly when laced into other substances. He points to proximity to Portland and past policy decisions, including Measure 110’s decriminalization, as factors that allowed drug problems to spread to coastal communities.
Hamalian says judges must ensure adequate prosecutorial follow-through while maintaining fairness. He pledges to bring appreciation for the responsibilities of the bench and a commitment to local values.
Voting Information:
Ballots for the May 19 election must be mailed or delivered by Election Day. Hamalian and his opponent are competing for Circuit Court Judge, Position 2, in the 27th Judicial District, which covers all of Tillamook County. Oregon voters receive ballots by mail.