Hayes apparent winner for Surrogate Court
Republican Michael Hayes emerged the apparent victor over Tom Mansfield on Tuesday in the race for Dutchess County Surrogate Court judge. Results from the Dutchess County Board of Elections showed Hayes outpolling Mansfield, 51,913 to 49,566.
Hayes, 50, is a LaGrange resident and currently sits as a LaGrange town justice.
Hayes has been a judge in the town of LaGrange since 2014 and has been law clerk to Dutchess County Judge Peter Forman since 2012.
Hayes is a former privatepractice attorney focusing on litigation and municipal law. He also is a former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Iona College and a law degree from Albany Law School. He was rated “highly qualified” by the Independent Election Qualification Commission.
Mansfield, 59, is a Red Hook resident and former Dutchess County legislator.
According to the commission, Mansfield did not apply for a rating.
The Surrogate’s Court judge serves a 10-year term. Surrogate’s Court handles matters involving estates, wills, trusts, guardianships and adoptions. The position’s annual salary is $135,800.