(Madison County, NY – June 2015) The Madison County Democratic Committee, meeting in Peterboro on June 1 voted not to endorse a candidate in the contest to elect a new Madison County Judge in November. Discussion centered on the question of whether to endorse rather than on the particular candidates. A clear majority of members present repeatedly said that three strong Democratic candidates want to be County Judge and they should allow all County Democrats to share in the choice by voting in the primary election on Sept. 10.
The Committee chair, Michael Oot of Munnsville said: “Tonight the Democrats were confronted with the enviable problem of selecting a single candidate from three very well qualified women, each with years of experience, with hundreds of appearances in the County Court on behalf of hundreds of people. After lengthy debate, it became clear that the candidates were so well qualified that the committee voted to let the candidates make their case directly to Democrat voters throughout the County in a primary. The public will have many chances to meet the candidates and we look forward to fully supporting their choice.”
The three candidates for whom Committee members will pass petitions to be on the ballot in the primary are:
Marian J. Cerio, a resident of Canastota who has practiced law for over 30 years from her office in Canastota, focusing on all aspects of family court in addition to wills, real estate, and misdemeanor criminal and traffic matters.
Suzanne Knight DeBottis, a resident of Oneida who maintains a private practice as well as representing the Madison County Department of Social Services in providing legal counsel for Child Welfare Fair Hearings.
Karin H. Marris, a resident of Erieville, a practicing attorney for 27 years, who has been litigating family and criminal cases in both Onondaga and Madison Counties from her private practice as well as from being affiliated with a firm in Syracuse.
The Committee had provided during the past month several opportunities for the candidates to meet and address committee members and posted information about them at madisonconydems.com. Members were impressed that three women who are highly qualified practicing attorneys sought nomination for this position that has never been held by a woman.
Former chair of the Committee, Marianne Simberg of Oneida said after the meeting: “Those present had a great debate about the issue of endorsement in the light of having three good candidates and decided that others in the party should participate in the process of democratically choosing our candidate for November.”
Pictured from top Cerio, DeBottis and Marris.
Submitted by Madison County Democratic Committee, Wanda Warren Berry, Publicity and Website Chair