Reitz (file)
CARMEL – Putnam County Judge James Reitz realizes he has an uphill battle yet the justice will be seeking one of seven seats on the New York State Supreme Court representing the 9th Judicial District next month.
Reitz’ name surfaced last weekend when Putnam County’s GOP Chairman Anthony Scannapieco received a call from State Supreme Court Justice Michael Martinelli advising that he was withdrawing from the race as a result of family health issues.
Scannapieco wished Martinelli well and immediately contacted his fellow Republican chairpersons advising “I have a guy who can win.”
Scannapieco then phoned Judge Reitz and asked if he was interested in the nomination. Reitz conferred with his wife and agreed to place his name on the ballot.
Reitz had intended to run next year for the state’s high court to succeed Putnam Senior Judge John Sweeny who will be retiring at the end of 2019.
Reitz called the opportunity to represent the 9th Judicial District comprising Dutchess, Westchester, Orange and Rockland counties in addition to Putnam a “great honor. I love what I do. Residents of Putnam County have been more than wonderful to me and my family and I can’t wait to serve residents of the five county lower Hudson Valley.”
Justices serve on the State Supreme Court for 14 years.
