Following a last-minute signature campaign to appear on the ballot, Stacy Pettit has won her Democratic primary bid for Albany County Surrogate Court judge.
Pettit beat Guilderland Town Justice Richard Sherwood with 9,611 votes to his 6,063. The Delmar resident does not face a Republican challenger in November’s general election, but Sherwood will appear on the ballot under a minor -party line.
“It’s finally sinking in that I won,” said Pettit on Thursday, Sept. 11. “I think the hard part is over now, and I’m thrilled.”
The Albany County Democratic Committee chaired by Matthew Clyne had backed Sherwood, 54, in the race that would decide who took over for former Judge Cathryn Doyle, who was removed from the bench in June for “ethical lapses.”
Candidates had just two weeks to decide if they would run or not. Petit opted to primary Sherwood after interviewing with the committee but not receiving its endorsement.
“I was surprised by the questions I was asked, because they were not about my qualifications but more about party involvement,” said Pettit of the panel of attorneys who interviewed her. “The whole process was very rushed because I only had 10 days after the interview to get signatures.”
Pettit worked for more than 10 years as the chief clerk of the county’s Surrogate Court, although she previously practiced estate and trust law. She then moved on to Appellate Division of state Supreme Court.
Pettit said she has a personal connection to the area of law she chose to study and why she eventually decided to run for Surrogate Court Judge.
“I have a sister with Down syndrome. She’s 52 now, and still lives with Mom, who’s 92,” she said. “When I met my husband and he proposed, I told him I would have to be responsible for my sister the rest of my life. I wanted to know if it was an issue before we were married, and he said no. That’s one of the reasons I got interested in guardianships, and trusts and estates.”
Clyne, who may be facing his own battle soon to remain Democratic County chairman after losing his seat on the committee last Tuesday, said he was surprised by the race’s wide margin.
“I thought it was going to be a very competitive race,” said Clyne. “I just think it is part of the larger perception … that female candidates weren’t getting their due, but that wasn’t the case.”
Petit said she’s pleased to hopefully get back to the job she loves, and the message she learned is one doesn’t have to be a professional in politics to run for an open seat.
“I’m just trying to get back to where I can do the most good with the law I know the best,” said Pettit. “That’s why I did it and I’m pleasantly surprised people got the message this is what I care about.”