Bath, NY - Judge Chauncey Watches this week filed Republican,
Conservative, Independence and Reform Party Designating Petitions to the
Steuben County Board of Elections. These petitions officially secure his spot
on the ballot in this fall’s election for Steuben County Surrogate Court Judge.
“The most important part of running for office is listening
to the people so you really understand their concerns about our court system,”
said Judge Watches. “The biggest asset that voters want in our new Surrogate
Court Judge is experience. The voters know that you can’t entrust this kind of
position to on-the-job training.”
In all, Judge Watches and his team collected more than 2,100
signatures in support of his candidacy – approximately double the minimum
required. New York State law requires candidates collect petition signatures
from 5% of their Party’s enrollment within their district in order to qualify
for the ballot.
“I’m very thankful to the dozens of volunteers who joined me
to travel to every town and village in Steuben County to collect signatures.
Their concern for the future of Steuben County is truly admirable,” Judge
Watches added.
Surrogate Court has jurisdiction over estate proceedings and
is responsible for granting and supervising the guardianships of infants and
incapacitated adults. The Surrogate Judge is also regularly assigned to County
Court, Family Court and Supreme Court in Steuben and seven surrounding
counties.
Judge Watches has served as a Municipal Judge in Bath for
the last 13 years, where he has helped to resolve thousands of challenging
cases. Beyond his tenure behind the bench, he also runs his own private legal
practice and has previously served as a prosecutor and as Assigned Counsel
through the Public Defender's Office. No other candidate in this race has
served in the courtroom from all sides – prosecutor, defense and judge.
Judge Watches has also given countless hours to our
community by volunteering as Past President of Canisteo Rotary Club and Hornell
Alumni Association, as a member of numerous Boards of Directors for local
community organizations, and as a former coach of youth soccer, basketball and
baseball.
The Republican Primary Election will be held on Tuesday,
September 12, 2017, while the General Election will be held on Tuesday,
November 7, 2017. This seat will be open due to the pending retirement of Judge
Marianne Furfure.
