Judge Elizabeth Burns Receives Democratic Nomination for Supreme Court Justice 6th District
September 24, 2018 (Cortland, New York) – Judge Elizabeth Burns has been overwhelmingly selected by Democratic committees of the ten county 6th Judicial District as the party candidate for Supreme Court Justice. The Supreme Court vacancy was created by the recent retirement of Judge Kevin Dowd.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the nomination and by the tremendous support I have received throughout the 6th district,” Burns responded. “I believe that my entire career, and particularly my experience as a judge and the years I spent practicing law in Supreme Court, have prepared me well for this important position. I look forward to the opportunity to put my knowledge and judicial experience to work for every resident of the district.”
The Sixth Judicial District serves nearly 750,000 residents across Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins Counties. Supreme Court Justice serves throughout these counties and presides over one of the most important courts within our legal system. The decisions made in State Supreme Court, on civil, municipal and criminal matters have the potential to impact every New Yorker.
Judge Burns was nominated by Cortland County delegate, Dean Corbin. In his nomination speech Corbin stated, “Through her decisions and courtroom practices, Judge Burns has built a reputation of fairness and impartiality both among her peers in the legal profession and in her community. As a presiding judge, she honors the rule of law while ensuring that the law is interpreted equitably and without bias. She strives to help those who appear before her to understand their rights and the procedures that guide our courts because she knows that injustice is often rooted in ignorance.”
Burns’ nomination was seconded by Broome County delegate, Donna Lupardo, Assemblywoman of the 123th District. Lupardo also cited Burns’ history of public service and proven track record of integrity and fairness stating; “she is equally respected by her colleagues, litigants and law enforcement.”
During her campaign Burns has received endorsements from Cortland and Delaware County Democratic Committees, United Auto Workers CAP Council – Region 9, Barbara Lifton, Assemblywoman125th District, the Honorable Mary Anne Lehmann, Binghamton City Court Judge (retired), Peter Charnetsky, Esq., Former Broome County Family Court and Acting Supreme Court Judge, Jason Garnar, Broome County Executive and John Toomey, NYS Trooper, Investigator, and US Marshall (retired).
Judge Burns has served on the bench for more than15 years. She was elected Cortland City Court Judge in 2013. Previously she was appointed to the position of part-time Cortland City Court Judge by three different mayors and served 12+ years.in that capacity. In addition Judge Burns has served as an Acting City Court Judge in Binghamton, Ithaca, and Elmira City Courts, and as an Acting Town Court Judge in the Town of Union
Burns currently also serves as the drug treatment court judge in Cortland County, and as an Acting County Court Judge for felony level drug court cases.
In addition, Burns has worked with the courts in all ten counties of the 6th judicial district having served as Special Counsel to the Administrative Judge for Town and Village Courts, assisting and advising over 200 Justices across the region.
In addition to her many years of public service Burns has been devoted to the continued success and growth of Tompkins Cortland Community College. Elizabeth graduated from TC3 in 1986 and became the Governor’s appointee to the TC3 Board of Trustees in 2008 and served as chair for 6 years.
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