Sober endorsed for county judgeship by firefighters, gun group
TROY, N. Y. » The Democratic candidate for Rensselaer County Court judge has picked up the endorsements of two statewide organizations.
Both the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association and the New York State Rif le and Pistol Association have offered their support to Jennifer Sober, who is running against Republican Rensselaer County Legislator Phil Danaher to replace Andrew Ceresia, a fellow Democrat who was elected to the state Supreme Court bench in November 2016. Sober and Danaher will also square off Tuesday in primary battles for the Conservative, Green, Working Families, Independence, Reform and Women’s Equality party lines on the Nov. 7 ballot.
“We are confident that your extensive qualifications and experience, as both prosecution and defense attorney, will ensure justice for the citizens of Rensselaer County,” wrote Samuel Fresina, president of the 18,000- member New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association, in an endorsement letter. “The integrity of our justice system if a cornerstone of society, and the administration of justice is a great responsibility with farreaching implications for the men and women who keep our communities safe. It is our opinion that you provide that presence for the people of Rensselaer County.”
“I am confident that Jennifer’s unique qualifications and experience will ensure a firm but fair judicial presence in Rensselaer County Court,” wrote Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, in that group’s endorsement letter. “As a registered carrier of a firearm, Jennifer will not abandon her respect and understanding of all that we stand for.”
Sober has maintained a general law practice in Albany for the past dozen years, with a concentration in criminal law. She previously working as a bureau chief for both the Rensselaer and Albany county district attorney’s offices, where she supervised attorneys and prosecuted felony drunkendriving cases. Since 2005, Sober has also served as a hearing officer for the state Education Department, conducting hearings, evaluating evidence and witness testimony and rendering reports and recommendations in disciplinary cases, including license revocations.
Sober and her husband, Ken, a lieutenant with the Albany Fire Department, live in Schodack with their two daughters.