Attorney Diane S. Sykes is running for Circuit Court Judge, District 4, Position 2, in Oregon's Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Laura M. Rowan is also running in the nonpartisan race.
Asked why she is seeking the bench, Sykes said in our candidate questionnaire: "Over the course of practicing law for the last 28 years, I have seen the profound impact our justice system has on people's lives. Whether someone is facing a criminal charge, housing crisis, domestic violence, or discrimination, every person who enters a courtroom deserves to be heard, treated with dignity, and understand the outcome of their case."
Candidate information
Residence: Portland. Asked about her family in our questionnaire, Sykes said: "Husband - Nathan Sykes … Dog - Maeve." She has two children. Her campaign website says she is bilingual and fluent in Spanish.
Education: Asked about her education in our questionnaire, Sykes said:
"University of Oregon School of Law- Eugene, Oregon, J.D., May 1997Certificate of Environmental & Natural Resources LawUniversity of California at Berkeley-Berkeley, California, B.A. Psychology, June 1992Student Honor Society & Psi Chi Honor Society"
Family in government: Asked whether anyone in her family works in politics or government, Sykes said in our questionnaire: "My husband, Nathan Sykes, is an attorney at Metro."
Previous elected or appointed office: Sykes said in our questionnaire: "None."
Experience and public service
Sykes said in our questionnaire that she has worked on "multiple sides of our justice system: as a public defender, Legal Aid attorney, Senior Assistant Attorney General, and civil rights and employment attorney in private practice." She added: "I also built and led the Oregon Department of Justice's first Civil Rights Unit."According to her campaign biography (https://www.dianesykesforjudge.com/meet-diane-sykes), Sykes joined the Oregon Department of Justice as a senior assistant attorney general in 2009 and founded her own law practice in 2013.
Sykes said in our questionnaire that she coaches Cleveland High School's Constitution Team through the Civics Learning Project. She also serves as chair-elect of the Oregon State Bar Labor & Employment Section and chairs the Oregon Law Foundation's Grant Subcommittee, according to her campaign website.
Awards (claimed by the candidate): Oregon Attorney General's Excellence in Justice Award (2012), Oregon State Bar Diversity and Inclusion Award (2017), Multnomah Bar Association Diversity Award (2020), Oregon State Bar President's Public Service Award (2022) and Oregon League of Minority Voters Liberty and Hope Award (2023).
On the issues
What sets her apart from other candidates: Sykes said in our questionnaire: "The breadth of my experience is a significant distinction in this race. … That means I have represented people accused of crimes, helped low-income Oregonians facing housing instability and domestic violence, enforced civil rights laws on behalf of the state, and represented individuals in complex civil matters. I understand our legal system from many different perspectives, not just one area of practice."
Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show she can handle the job, Sykes said in our questionnaire: "One of my proudest professional accomplishments was building and leading the Oregon Department of Justice's first Civil Rights Unit, where I worked to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of Oregonians. That experience required leadership, sound judgment, collaboration, and the ability to navigate complex legal issues."
Best advice she has received: Sykes said in our questionnaire: "Preparation is a form of respect. … Being prepared means more than knowing the facts and the law. It means respecting the time, experiences, and responsibilities of everyone involved." She added: "Judges owe it to the people who enter their courtrooms, as well as attorneys, jurors, and court staff, to show up prepared and engaged."
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
