Two face off in Family Court race
KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Two Red Hook residents will face off in a race to become Dutchess County’s newest Family Court judge.
Karen Hagstrom, a Republican, and Jeffrey Martin, a Democrat, are vying for the seat now held by Judge Joan Pagones, who is retiring.
The victor in Tuesday’s election will serve a 10-year term.
Both candidates have experience in Family Court.
Hagstrom, 49, is a former county attorney who, according to her website, prosecuted both child abuse and neglect cases and criminal cases involving youth up to the age of 16 in Family Court.
She also spent nine years in the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, where, as part of the office’s Special Victims Unit, she prosecuted domestic violence and child abuse cases.
Currently, Hagstrom is a partner in the law firm of Corbally, Gartland, and Rappleyea, where she focuses on family offenses, which are domestic violence-related crimes, child custody petitions and criminal cases.
Hagstrom said that as a child of divorce and the mother of four, including two stepchildren, she will bring a unique understanding of the issues facing children and families as they go through what very well may be the most difficult time in their life.
Hagstrom is married to Senior Assistant Dutchess County District Attorney Matthew Weishaupt.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College and a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.
In addition to holding the GOP line, Hagstrom will run
on the Conservative, Independence, Green, Women’s Equality and Reform lines.
Martin, 58, is a partner with the law firm McCabe, Martin, Coleman and Ventosa who has worked as an attorney specializing in family law for 32 years. During that time, his website states, he represented thousands of people in Family Court proceedings and tried hundreds of cases involving family matters such as child abuse and neglect, custody and domestic abuse.
He has been a Red Hook town justice since 2007 and village of Red Hook attorney since 1992 and for more than 20 years has served as a hearing officer to area school districts.
Martin said his professional experience, coupled with his experience as the father of five children has taught him patience, empathy and the importance of boundaries, enable him to bring a practical and common-sense approach to matters coming before the court.
Martin is married to Michelle Martin, a wealth manager.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Siena College and a law degree from Vermont Law School.
He will hold the Democratic and Working Families lines on Tuesday’s ballot.
The position carries a salary of $125,600.