The race for Albany City Court Judge has split local Democrats. The outcome of Tuesday's primary could chart a future course for the party.
If campaign signs and endorsements are any measure, Joshua Farrell, officially endorsed by the Democratic Party, is favored across uptown Albany, while James Long appears well-liked throughout the city's lower wards and poorer neighborhoods. Nonetheless, Farrell is supported by some of the more vocal Common Council members including Dorcey Applyrs and Leah Golby. He's also backed by Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. On his side, Long counts party stalwarts former Mayor Jerry Jennings, County Sheriff Craig Apple and State Senator Neil Breslin.
Long practiced law for nearly four decades and was appointed Albany County Public Defender, serving a short stint, earlier this year. He believes he is the most qualified and experienced candidate to replace retiring Judge Rachel Kretser, who decided not to run for a second term. "37 years of practicing law in Albany, trying over 100 cases to verdict in city court. In fact I recall my first trial was representing a deputy sheriff accused of misconduct in police court. I've tried murder cases, I've tried cases in federal court, to verdict too, and that's the difference. A lot of lawyers will star a trial but settle a plea bargain. I've tried over 100 cases to verdict and handled thousands of cases and thousands of those have been pro bono. I never turned anybody away from my office who couldn't afford an attorney. And i think that's the qualifications you need to start work in city court on day one. There should be no learning curve after all these years."
Farrell is with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s civil litigation unit. The former assistant public defender and state Supreme Court law clerk's campaign touts his "incredible energy and passion for fairness and justice." "I do have an incredible passion for our justice system too. And I think it shows from my professional experience that I have, working on all sides of the justice system, I want to make sure that everyone gets their story heard. All the people who go into Albany Court deserve the fair and impartial justice that I can provide."
Long points out there are five city court judges in all, each serving a 10-year term. "They rotate or serve both in city hall civil matters, from evictions, small claims, down to arraignments on Morton Ave. on criminal cases, and then they preside over misdemeanor cases."
Farrell says the court has a tremendous impact on the city. "...because thousands of people go through there every year. I know that because I worked in Albany City Court as a public defender and I know the struggles that people are going through. And we should all be very concerned about everyone in our city, and try to make it the best it can be."
Long also feels concern for local residents. He explains that for many folks, city court is their first entry into the civil and criminal system for anyone who has any legal problems, even if it's just for a speeding ticket or to dispute a parking ticket. "It's the court where everybody, sometime in their life, probably passes through. Landlord-tenants. Small claims matters. Arrests for DWI or petit larceny. And especially in the minority community, where the young people get brought to the city court first, and it's important that somebody there has the experience and compassion to recognize that this is going to be a blemish on somebody's record."
Farrell: "I think it's very important for the listeners to know that I am dedicated to our community as well. I've been very involved in all aspects of our community. One of the ways is running a third grade dictionary project that puts a paper dictionary in every third grader's hand, all over Albany, and many other ways. And I think it's that dedication to our community that shows that I wanna make our city as good as it can be."
Tuesday's primary is all but decisive in heavily Democratic Albany. The winner will serve a 10-year term, and there's a “wild card” of sorts in play — because city court Judge Thomas Keefe is leaving office on allegations of judicial misconduct, both Farrell and Long could end up on the bench: Democratic Party chairwoman Carolyn McLaughlin told the Times Union: "... whoever loses the primary can get appointed to fill out this year..." referring to a power chip held by Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, who could appoint either man to fill Keefe's seat — or — another seat expected to be vacant after City Court Judge William Carter wins election to County Court: a given, as he is running unopposed.
New York is a closed primary state: you can vote Tuesday only if you are enrolled in a party, and you can vote in primary contests being held by that party. In Albany County, polls open at noon and close at 9.
RELATED: New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office has created a Hotline to help troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues and barriers encountered by voters at the polls for the primary on Tuesday, September 13. The Attorney General urges voters experiencing problems or issues at the polls to call the office’s hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time on Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. The hotline will be staffed by attorneys and staff in the office's Civil Rights Bureau.
“Ensuring that all eligible voters have the ability to cast an effective ballot on Election Day is the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office is here to work with the Board of Elections to resolve a wide range of issues that may come up at the ballot box, and I urge all New Yorkers to contact my office immediately if they encounter any possible improprieties.”
To determine whether you have a contested election in your election district, contact your county Board of Elections.
