The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Candidate Statements

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Dennis K. McDermott:

I am the only candidate who has 30 years of legal experience. I am the only candidate who was in private practice for 25 years, and I am the only candidate whose practice encompassed more than one area of law. My practice was a general practice that included matrimonial and family law, real estate, wills and estates, business law, municipal law and more. I served as a Family Court Law Guardian for 12 years.

I am the only candidate who has been a full-time trial judge. I have been Madison County Judge since April, 2001. In that capacity, I have presided over jury and non-jury trials in County Court (felony-level criminal cases), Surrogate's Court (wills and estates) and Family Court.

I am the only candidate who has experience as a Supreme Court Justice. Since January 1 of this year, I have been the Acting Supreme Court Justice in Madison County.

Since becoming a judge, I have been assigned to hear cases in seven of the ten counties comprising the Sixth Judicial District. I also serve as a member of the Sixth Judicial District Committee on Gender Fairness.

In August of this year, I was rated "Highly Qualified" by the Broome County Bar Association. In 2001, I was rated "Highly Qualified" by the NYS Commission on Judicial Screening.

Beyond my substantial experience as a lawyer and as a full-time judge, I also possess the judicial temperament that the position of judge requires. Additionally, I have an excellent reputation among lawyers and laymen, men and women, Republicans and Democrats, throughout the Sixth Judicial District. Please go to the "Opinions" page of my website, http://www.JudgeMcDermott.com, and see the opinions of others about me.

For the past 5½ years, I have dedicated myself to the fair and impartial administration of justice. By experience, temperament and reputation, I am highly qualified to serve as Justice of the Supreme Court in New York State.

Answer from Elizabeth Garry:

My extensive background in this particular court, and my passion for the work. I began my career as the legal assistant to a Justice in the State Supreme Court immediately after graduating from law school, and was directly involved in the entire array of cases for four years. I further developed this strong foundation of experience in my legal practice thereafter, representing hundreds of clients in State Supreme Court actions throughout the entire region for the past twelve years. As each court applies different rules of procedure and case law precedent, my experience in this particular court is very signficant.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.