Judge Tom Marcelle Wins Nod for State Supreme Court

(Albany, NY) Judge Tom Marcelle today received the unanimous backing of Republican delegates for the position of State Supreme Court Justice in the third Judicial District. Monday's nomination followed the earlier endorsement on Sunday Evening from Conservative Party delegates at their nominating meeting in Coxsackie. 

Judge Marcelle has had a long and distinguished legal career. A magna cum laude graduate of Cornell Law School, Marcelle has served in a variety of positions including Albany County Attorney and Counsel to Albany County Sheriff, Craig Apple. In addition to his public service career, Marcelle has a distinguished record as a private attorney, including having argued and won a groundbreaking religious liberties case before the United States Supreme Court. Judge Marcelle has served as City Court Judge in Cohoes for the past seven years. As City Court Judge, he has heard and resolved thousands of cases. 

"Judge Marcelle is an outstanding choice for Supreme Court. He is the best, most qualified candidate for this important judicial post. He has been appointed to positions of public trust by both Democrats and Republicans. This demonstrates a balanced approach to the law that will make him a great Supreme Court Justice," said Peter Crummey, delegate from Albany County and Colonie Town Supervisor. 

"Our choice was easy. Judge Marcelle is the only candidate with judicial experience. Judge Marcelle's work and important decisions in key areas that affect upstate residents. He showed great intellect and courage in ruling that the disastrous bail reform violated the State Constitution," said Assemblyman Jake Ashby, a delegate from Rensselaer County. "Judge Marcelle is recognized in the region as a smart and honest judge. He has earned the respect of the legal community and his fellow jurist. The chairs of his campaign demonstrates that" said Tom Turco, a delegate from Ulster County. 

Judge Marcelle's campaign committee is chaired by the Hon. Victoria Graffeo (former Court of Appeals Judge), the Hon. Eugene Devine (former Appellate Division Justice) and the Hon. Michael Kavanagh (former Appellate Division Justice). 

"I'm honored beyond words by this nomination", said Marcelle. "The position of Supreme Court Justice is critically important to upholding the rule of law, which is a foundational principle for our system of government in the United States, I pledge to do my utmost to uphold the rule of law for litigants who come before me while treating all parties with the dignity and respect they deserve as citizens of our Republic," continued Marcelle. " I will run a vigorous campaign for this position. While a candidate for a judicial post is barred from taking positions on political issues or matters which may come before the court, I'm proud of my record as a Cohoes City Court Judge. I look forward to meeting citizens of the seven counties comprising the Judicial District and respectfully seek their support regardless of party", concluded Marcelle. 

Judge Marcelle has served as a City Court Judge in Cohoes for the past seven years. As a City Court Judge, he has heard and resolved hundreds of cases in the busy court. He has also served as Albany County Attorney and as a counsel in the Albany county Legislature, and has been appointed to positions of public trust by both Democrats and Republicans. 

He argued and won a case before the United States Supreme Court in 2001. He maintains a private practice, where he handles cases big and small for clients. 

The Third Judicial District encompasses seven counties: Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster. Supreme Court is the primary trial level court which has jurisdiction for criminal matters and commercial disputes. The Supreme Court also considers matrimonial and divorce matters. In addition, the Supreme Court considers so-called "Article 78" matters which challenge actions against state and local agencies, which is particularly important given that the State Capitol is in the Third Judicial District.