Westchester and Rockland Conservatives hope to elect Democrat judges

DUTCHESS COUNTY – The Ninth Judicial District in New York encompasses Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties. Eight qualified candidates are seeking seats on the New York Supreme Court bench in the Ninth Judicial District, and the Conservative Party is poised to sway the balance of power through the endorsement process.

There are four candidates on the Democratic ballot line: Verris Shako, Diane Clerkin, John Collins, Jr., and Desmond Lyons. The Republicans have candidates George Smith, Kiel Van Horn, Thomas Humbach, and Raymond Raiche on the GOP line.

Of the eight candidates, voters can choose four to serve on the Supreme Court bench.

Most elections in New York feature Democratic candidates also appearing on the Working Families Party line, while Republican cand