Laura M. Rowan is running for Circuit Court Judge, District 4, Position 2 in the Nov. 3, 2026, Oregon general election. The race is nonpartisan. Diane S. Sykes is also running.
Asked why she is seeking the bench, Rowan said in our questionnaire: "I am a trial lawyer and a dedicated career public servant because I love working in a field that touches the lives of people living in our community. Judges make decisions that matter to people on their worst days. I know the importance of handling that responsibility with care and integrity."
Candidate information
Family: Asked about her family, Rowan said: "I live with my husband and my two daughters, our cat, and two fish."
Education: In her Surround Sound Media questionnaire, Rowan reported a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College in 2005 and a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2011.
Family in government: Asked whether anyone in her family works in politics or government, Rowan said: "My parents are retired circuit court judges."
Experience and public service
Rowan described her work history in our questionnaire:
- Oregon Department of Justice, senior assistant attorney general (Sept. 19, 2022, to present): "Litigate post-conviction relief cases and before the Psychiatric Security Review Board, which are civil proceedings."
- Portland Office of the City Attorney, deputy city attorney (April 17, 2018, to Sept. 16, 2022): "Advised on public safety issues; provided legal updates and training to the police bureau."
- Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, deputy district attorney (Aug. 22, 2011, to April 13, 2018): "Prosecuted misdemeanors, domestic violence, large-quantity drug cases, human trafficking, robberies, burglaries, vehicular assaults and fatalities, gun crimes, gang violence crimes, and murders." Rowan said she "created the Mental Health Deputy position."
Asked what accomplishments show she can handle the job, Rowan said: "I have spent fifteen years working as a public service attorney in fast-paced, high-volume settings. I have spent countless hours in Multnomah County courtrooms managing heavy dockets, which has taught me how to move matters efficiently while protecting the constitutional rights of everyone who comes to court."
She added: "The clearest evidence that I can do it myself is the endorsement of thirty current and senior Multnomah County judges who know my work and trust me to handle the job."
Endorsements: Rowan's campaign website lists endorsements from the Portland Fire Fighters' Association, IAFF Local 43, and Earl Blumenauer.
On the issues
Asked about the critical differences between herself and her opponent, Rowan said: "My background is primarily criminal law while my opponent's is primarily civil law. This is important because 87% of all jury trials in Multnomah County last year were criminal jury trials. Considering the current backlog and that the vast majority of the court's work is criminal, the bench needs a judge who is versed in criminal law and can handle trials right away."
Rowan also pointed to the seat she would fill: "The elected candidate will replace Judge Waller, who is the current Mental Health Court judge and the most experienced judge in that area of the law. It is critical to backfill the loss of her specialized knowledge. This is an area I know well through my work in Mental Health Court and handling Psychiatric Security Review Board cases."
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
