(Watkins Glen, NY) Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman is the Republican nominee for County Court Judge following a contested vote tonight.
The Schuyler County Republican Committee met Thursday, June 27, and voted to nominate Getman over fellow Republicans Jess Saks and Dan Fitzsimmons and Democrat Matt Hayden.
In endorsing Getman, Republican Committee Chair Van A. Harp stated, “During my time serving in the FBI, and on the County Legislature, I worked with countless attorneys from all over the place. Steve ranks among the best attorneys I’ve seen in action. As our current Schuyler County Attorney, he handles some of the most complex and important cases that come into our court system. He understands criminal court proceedings, family court proceedings, and surrogate court proceedings – all of which will be the responsibility of our next County Court Judge.”
“I am humbled and honored by the support of my fellow Schuyler County Republicans,” Getman said. “I plan to run a clean, positive, campaign, based on education, training and legal experience.”
In addition to Harp, Getman gained the written endorsements of past County Republican Chairs Phil Barnes and Lester Cady prior to the committee vote.
“It is my opinion that there is only candidate who is uniquely qualified to effectively serve in all of the roles required of a Schuyler County Court Judge: Steven Getman,” Barnes stated in a letter to the committee.
“Steve is smart, ethical and understands the U.S. Constitution,” Cady wrote. “He is the right person for this job.”
This is Getman’s second endorsement in this year’s judicial race. He obtained the backing of the New York State Libertarian Party earlier this month.
An attorney since 1992, Getman has practiced in each of the courts over which the County Court Judge presides: County Criminal, Civil, Family and Surrogate’s. He has also handled dozens of criminal and civil appeals in the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division. As Schuyler County Attorney, Getman is the chief legal advisor to approximately 250 county employees, including the County Administrator and County Legislature. He and his staff have handled thousands of cases, prosecuted and defended civil actions, appeared in numerous courts, and drafted legislation. In addition, his office prosecutes family court cases involving child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency and child support violations.
Beyond his service as an attorney, Getman has taught criminal justice and constitutional law as an Adjunct Instructor at Keuka College for the past eight years.
Getman, age 54, is a graduate of Hofstra University, Ithaca College and Cornell University. He is an endowment life member of the NRA and a member of Schuyler County SCOPE (Shooters Committee On Political Education), Millport Hunting and Fishing Club, Community Conservation Club, Schuyler County Arc Nominating Committee, Watkins Glen-Montour Falls Lions Club, Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, New York State Bar Association, Schuyler County Bar Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and New York State Defenders Association. He resides in Watkins Glen.
This year’s election will feature the seat for County Court Judge based on the May 30 retirement of Judge Dennis Morris. Due to the timing of Morris’s retirement, candidates are required by law to be nominated by the County Party Committees, rather than through a Primary Election. The Republican Committee consists of thirty local republicans from throughout the county, selected by voters.
The General Election is slated for Tuesday, November 5th.
