Democrat Deirdre Hay was behind Republican Cheryl Insinga for a 14-year seat on the bench of the state Supreme Court’s 6th Judicial District.
Across the 10-county district, the vote was 51,085 for Insinga to 48,850 for Hay, with 554 of 595 districts reporting. Hay had 3,551 to Insinga’s 3,672 in Cortland County. In Tompkins County, Hay had 13,031 to 3,708 for Insinga.
The position hears cases in Cortland, Tompkins, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler and Tioga counties.
Hay has been a lawyer since 1990, and a member of the state bar for 25 years, a news release from her campaign said. Her clients include an agricultural cooperative and global corporations and matrimonial clients.
“On a bench where 30% of the cases are contested divorces, my litigation experience and life experiences are particularly helpful,” Hay said in a release.
Hay has taught business law at Cornell Law School and is former managing editor of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Journal. She was president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and has served on statewide boards and organizations.
Insinga has 25 years of legal experience, and has practiced in State Supreme Court, a news release from her campaign says.
“The individuals who appear in State Supreme Court deserve to be heard by a judge with knowledge, experience, compassion and impartiality. I’m running for this position to bring my decades of relevant experience and qualifications to serve all those whose circumstances may place them in State Supreme Court,” Insinga said during her campaign.
Insinga was a member of the firm’s executive committee and is the public law practice group co-leader. Her primary focus at the firm is representing schools, towns, villages, counties, authorities, fire and emergency medical agencies. She was also an adjunct instructor of school law and ethics at Binghamton University.
SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Incumbent Justice Alex R. Renzi, a Republican, led Democrat Margo J. Garant and Joe Waldorf, nominated by the Republican and Conservative parties, for a 14-year seat on the bench of the 7th Judicial District of state Supreme Court.
Across the district, the count was 103,797 for Renzi, 89,346 for Garant and 90,221 for Waldor with 1,142 of 1,296 districts reporting. In Cayuga County, Renzi had 8,563, Garant had 2,860 and Waldorf had 5,481 in complete, but unofficial results.
Two seats are available.
Garant has been mayor of Port Jefferson for 14 years. Waldorf has more than 20 years of legal experience, his website says. He is principal court attorney to Supreme Court Justice Bill Taylor, and was previously a prosecutor.
