By Dan Murphy
On Nov. 7, Westchester voters will be electing four State Supreme Court Justices in the 9th Judicial District of NY, which includes Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties. With the recent attention placed on the judiciary and the impact it has on our everyday lives, it is important for voters to make an informed decision when they step into the ballot box.
Democrats have two incumbent State Supreme Court Judges from Westchester running for reelection this year: Judge Charley Wood and Judge Fran Connolly. Both have 18 years of judicial experience, both on the bench and as attorneys.
Judge Charley Wood has served as a NYS Supreme Court Justice for the last 14 years. Prior to that was a Yonkers City Court Judge. He has presided over Criminal Jury Trials in Westchester, Dutchess & Nassau counties, as well as Civil Trials in Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Nassau & Suffolk counties.
“It has been my greatest professional achievement – serving the people of the 9th JD – and I would be honored to be able to continue to serve in this capacity,” said Judge Wood, who serves as the Chair of the Gender Fairness Committee for the 9th JD.
Judge Wood grew up in Yonkers, where his parents worked as public-school teachers. “I respect the attorneys and litigants that appear before me, and I am courteous to them, as well as jurors, court reporters, court officers, and court clerks. A judge needs to be part of the solution in a courtroom, not necessarily the center of attention. If you really want to know, ask around. Find a friend that works in the Westchester County Courthouse, or Yonkers City Court, or Dutchess Supreme Court, and ask them about me, my reputation in the courthouse, and their own personal interactions with me. That’s how you know whether to re-elect a judge.”
Justice Fran Connolly has 17 years of judicial experience. She currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, considered the busiest intermediate appellate court in our nation and covers ten counties, including Westchester. The Court hears appeals on a wide variety of issues, and Justice Connolly has decided over 5,000 appeals and authored numerous published opinions.
In October of 2021, after completing a rigorous screening process, Justice Connolly was one of seven candidates nominated by the Commission on Judicial Nomination to fill a vacancy on the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State.
Justice Connolly served her community in many ways over the years. She was an elected member of the Ossining Town Council for five years, from 2000 to 2005, with three of those years serving as Deputy Town Supervisor.
The two other democratic State Supreme Court candidates are:
Judge Rolf M. Thorsen, who has 15 years of judicial experience. He is currently serving as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court for the Ninth Judicial District. In November 2014, Judge Thorsen was elected as County Court Judge for the County of Rockland. Prior to his election to the County Judge, Thorsen served as a Clarktown Town Justice.
‘Judge Larry Schwartz was elected as a County Court Judge in 2016 and currently serves as a Rockland County Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice.He is a former Public Defender and Assistant District Attorney.
Republicans have also nominated four candidates for State Supreme Court. They are John Sarcone, Judge Karen Ostberg, Judge Susan Sullivan, John Ciampoli.
Westchester resident John Sarcone ran for State Supreme Court last year. He has more than 20 years of legal experience, including serving as Town Attorney in Eastchester, and Attorney for the Town of Cornwall. He recently served as the Regional Administrator, NE & Carribean Region, for the US General Service Administration from 2018-2021.
Judge Karen Ostberg is the Town Justice of Minisink and sits as a CAP Judge at the Orange County Jail. She has 37 years of legal experience including her past positions as City Attorney, Prosecutor, and in the Court of Appeals, has earned her the reputation of being fair and impartial. Judge Ostberg lives in Orange County
Judge Susan Sullivan is the 1st Woman Judge serving in her hometown, the Town of LaGrange, and has previous served as acting Poughkeepsie City Court Judge, Town of Union Vale Justice, Town of Patterson Justice and Associate Justice, Village of Wappingers. She has over 25 years of legal experience as a Judge and attorney.
John Ciampoli also ran for State Supreme Court last year and has 35 years of legal experience.
State Supreme Court candidates are elected to 14-year terms. Early voting begins on October 29 and Election Day is November 8.’
