Portland, Oregon – After a competitive election, Multnomah County’s own Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Auxier is set to adorn the bench as a judge, following a decisive victory in a recent five-candidate race for a judicial seat. Election results disclose that Auxier captured 42% of the vote, leading the race.
Beginning his career in law as a prosecutor in Multnomah County in 2008, Auxier dedicated a decade of service before assuming the role of District Attorney in Columbia County. He served two terms there before resigning in 2023 to helm the domestic violence unit back in Multnomah County.
The competition in the race included Rachel Philips, a defense attorney in private practice, who secured second place with 24% of the votes. They were followed by three public defenders—Jennifer Myrick who garnered 18%, Tom Dwyer with 7%, and John Schlosser who received 6.5% of the vote.
During his campaign, Auxier, aged 44, garnered substantial support, receiving endorsements from a spectrum of legal professionals, including fellow judges, the current and incoming District Attorney of Multnomah County, and notable figures within the defense bar.
The campaign finance records highlight that Auxier amassed approximately $110,000 in contributions, surpassing the combined total of his contenders. Notable contributions included $25,000 from the Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys union, $5,000 from Stephen Babson, managing director of the venture capital group Endeavour, and $4,000 from his mother, Katherine Auxier.
This election was particularly significant as judicial elections often result in appointments rather than elections, especially when a judge retires mid-term. However, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek opted for a different approach following the appointment of former-Circuit Judge Amy Baggio to the U.S. District Court, emphasizing the importance of voter involvement in the selection process.
In other regional judicial races across Oregon, incumbents managed to hold their ground. Jackson County Circuit Judge Matthew Rowan and Washington County Circuit Judge Charles Bailey successfully defended their positions. However, Umatilla and Morrow County witnessed a turnover, with criminal defense attorney John Ballard defeating incumbent Judge Joanna Marikos. Additionally, in Marion County, civil attorney David Carlson narrowly defeated criminal defense attorney Michelle Vlach-Ing in a race for an open seat.
Jeff Auxier’s victory marks a crucial transition in his career from prosecuting attorney to a judge, underscoring a voter-endorsed shift in the judicial landscape of Multnomah County.
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