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Brindisi announces run for NY Supreme Court judge

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO Public Media
Anthony Brindisi and his family outside the Oneida County Courthouse.

Former Utica-area Rep. Anthony Brindisi is looking to the judiciary in his next stint in public service.

Brindisi lost a razor-thin race for reelection in the 22nd Congressional District last year. Last month, the Democrat announced he wouldn’t run again for the seat now held by Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney. But he’s not giving up on public service, announcing a bid this week to become a State Supreme Court justice. It’s a new seat in the 5th Judicial District that was created by state lawmakers just last month.

"I knew when the vacancy opened up, it's something I was interested in and felt I had the right experience for," Brindisi said.

He admitted he had offers for jobs with the Biden administration after losing to Tenney, but wanted to keep his family in the Mohawk Valley.

"There were positions I was offered, but anything that would bring me away from this area and the community that we love, is something that I would not consider," Brindisi said.

It’ll be a different kind of campaign for Brindisi, also a former New York state assemblyman. Judicial candidates can’t raise money, and funds he still has in his congressional campaign coffers will have to go elsewhere. He’ll know for sure if he has the job at a judicial convention in August, which will choose candidates. So far, he said he’s the only Democrat officially interested in the job.

"Public service and the rule of law are the things I love most in life,” he said. “And by serving as a Supreme Court justice, we will be able to combine my love of service and experience as an acting attorney, into one job to serve the people of this community."

Six counties make up the 5th Judicial District, and includes the cities of Utica, Syracuse and Watertown. If he’s elected he would serve a 14-year term.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.