Judicial candidates lining up for state and local races

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Election Day is about 11 months away, but state and local judicial candidates are already lining up for a place on the ballot.

Two Democrats — Matthew Nafus and Melissa Barrett — have announced their intentions to run for Monroe County Court Judge.

Nafus, a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, is a former assistant Monroe County District Attorney now in private practice. Barrett is a Rochester City Court law clerk.

The Monroe County Republican Committee held a news conference Monday presenting three candidates:

• Charles A. Schiano Jr., a Greece town justice and private attorney, is seeking the party’s endorsement for the state Supreme Court.
• Sam L. Valleriani, a Gates town justice and law clerk to Monroe County Court Judge John L. DeMarco, wants to run for Monroe County Court.
• And Stacey M. Romeo, law clerk to state Supreme Court Justice Gail A. Donofrio, wants to run for Monroe County Family Court.

In November, one state Supreme Court seat will be up for a vote. Republican Justice John J. Ark turns 70 on Friday, which will require him to retire, although he can seek certification to stay on at least two more years. Regardless an election for the seat is being held.

One Monroe County Court seat is open because of a vacancy caused when Republican James J. Pampiano was elected to a state Supreme Court last year.

One Monroe County Family Court seat is up for election. Democrat Patricia E. Gallaher’s 10-year term expires this year and she will not seek re-election, she said.

Democrat Maija C. Dixon’s 10-year term on Rochester City Court expires this year. Dixon said she will seek re-election.

In the suburbs the four-year term of Brighton town justice Democrat John A. Falk ends this year. In Rush, the four-year term of town justice Republican Henry E. Kirch will expire. In Pittsford, town justice Republican William K. Taylor was elected to state Supreme Court.

State and local primary elections, if needed, are scheduled for Sept. 13. The general election will be Nov. 8.