Democrats win all 7 seats in Ninth District contest

Democrats claimed all seven seats up for election in the state Supreme Court Ninth Judicial District.

With 1,602 of 1,866 precincts reporting, Westchester Family Court Judge Kathie Davidson, at 537,038 votes, was the top finisher in the race, which featured seven Democratic candidates and three Republicans.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe tallied 372,955 votes in the race, which spanned 11 counties, including five in the Hudson Valley, while incumbent Justice Joan Lefkowitz garnered 345,374 votes in her successful bid for a third 14-year term on the bench.

The Ninth Judicial District comprises Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Westchester County Judge Barry Warhit received 322,305 votes in his bid for a Supreme Court seat, and incumbent Justice William Giacomo was returned to the bench with 318,103 votes.

Westchester County Family Court Judge Hal Greenwald was elected to the Supreme Court bench with 307,856 votes, and acting Supreme Court Judge David Everett tallied 303,822.

Out of the running, Putnam County Judge James Reitz, a Republican, received 220,713 votes, while Phillip Grimaldi a privatepractice attorney in White Plains garnered 207,546 votes.

Orange County Judge Robert Freehill trailed in the 10-way contest with 148,804 votes.

State Supreme Court Justices sit for 14-year terms.