Eight running for Ninth Judicial District
The candidates are facing off in the general election to fill four state Supreme Court justice positions.
Eight candidates are facing off in the upcoming general election to fill four state Supreme Court justice positions in New York’s Ninth Judicial District.
The candidates are Francesca E. Connolly, Charley Wood, Rolf M. Thorsen, Larry J. Schwartz, John A. Sarcone III, John Ciampoli, Karen A. Ostberg and Susan M. Sullivan-Bisceglia.
The top four vote-getters will serve 14-year terms on the bench.
The Ninth Judicial District comprises Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester counties. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 28.
Ciampoli, 64, is running on the Republican party line. He currently resides in Massapequa in Nassau County, is married, and has a son and stepdaughter, according to previously provided information. Ciampoli received his juris doctorate from the Hofstra University School of Law.
Currently, Ciampoli is an attorney with Messina, Perillo, & Hill, LLP, practicing in the areas of election law, labor law, municipal law, and civil rights law. His previous work includes serving as chief of staff for former state Sen. Stephen Saland, as counsel to the state Senate and as county attorney for Nassau County, according to previously provided information. Ciampoli is admitted to practice before the federal courts, as well as New York courts.
He did not respond to a request for comment.
Connolly, 65, is running on the Democratic and Conservative party lines. She currently resides in Ossining and is married with two sons, according to provided information. Connolly received her juris doctorate from Pace Law School.
She currently serves as an associate justice of the State Appellate Division, Second Department, having won election to the State Supreme Court in 2009. Connolly previously held public office in Ossining as a town justice, deputy town supervisor, town council member and planning board member.
“In my 14 years of service as a New York State Supreme Court Justice, I have strived to treat everyone fairly and impartially, and with dignity and respect,” Connolly said in an email. “I have made every effort to issue wellreasoned judicial decisions that articulate clear principles of law for the bench and bar to follow and for litigants to understand. With the support of the residents of Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, and Putnam counties, I am hoping to continue my service for another term.”
Wood, 54, is running on the Democratic and Conservative party lines. He currently resides in Lewisboro and is married with two sons, according to provided information. Wood received his juris doctorate from New York Law School.
He currently serves as a State Supreme Court justice, having won election in 2009. Wood previously held public office as a justice in Yonkers City Court, according to provided information.
“For 14 years, I have treated all litigants with dignity and respect, and have decided cases fairly and efficiently,” Wood said. “I hope to continue serving the people of Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester with the benefit of my 18 years of full-time judicial experience.”
Thorsen is running on the Democratic and Conservative party lines. He is an acting State Supreme Court justice for the Ninth Judicial District and previously served as a Clarkstown town justice and a Rockland County Court justice, according to his campaign website.
He did not respond to a request for comment.
Schwartz is running on the Democratic and Conservative party lines. He is an acting State Supreme Court justice for the Ninth Judicial District and previously served as a Rockland County Court justice, assistant district attorney and assistant public defender, according to his campaign website.
He did not respond to a request for comment.
Sarcone, 61, is running on the Republican party line. He lives in Croton-on-Hudson, is married, and has three children. Sarcone received his juris doctorate at Pace Law School.
According to his website, Sarcone has more than 25 years of legal and leadership experience. He has made successful appearances in state, federal, and appeals courts, and has had cases published in state and federal case books more than 34 times.
He did not respond to a request for comment.
Ostberg is running on the Republican party line. She lives in Orange County and has two sons, according to her campaign website. She received her juris doctorate from Deleware State University.
Ostberg currently serves as Minisink town justice and an Orange County Jail conviction alternatives program justice. According to her website, Ostberg has experience as a city attorney and prosecutor.
She did not respond to a request for comment.
Sullivan-Bisceglia is running on the Republican party line. She is married with two children. She received her juris doctorate from New York Law School.
Sullivan-Bisceglia currently serves as LaGrange town justice and, according to her campaign website, Poughkeepsie City Court justice, Town of Union Vale justice, Town of Patterson justice and as an associate justice in the Village of Wappingers. According to her website, she operates her own law practice and has experience as a corporate attorney.
She did not respond to a request for comment.