Clinton County resident Supreme Court Justice, John A. Lahtinen is running for re-election this year.

Judge Lahtinen was appointed to the Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial District by Governor George E. Pataki in June 1997.  He was elected to a full 14-year term in November 1997.  From June 1997 to March 2000 Judge Lahtinen served on the trial bench where he tried and settled many cases in this district and New York City and always did so with integrity and fairness. 

In March 2000, he was appointed by Governor Pataki to the Appellate Division of Supreme Court for the Third Judicial Department where he has served with distinction for the past 11 years.  His tenure on the Appellate Division is the longest of the four justices from Clinton County who have served on that Court in its 115 year history.  Since Judge Lahtinen's appointment to the Appellate Division as an Associate Justice he has written in excess of 1300 decisions and participated in more than 9000 appeals.  His judicial opinions have helped to shape the law of this State. 

There are presently four announced candidates for three vacancies in the Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial District.  Judge Lahtinen is the only candidate running for re-election.  The Fourth Judicial District is comprised of the Counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington.  Judge Lahtinen is the only sitting Supreme Court Justice within a radius of 100 miles of Plattsburgh. 

Judge Lahtinen has served us well and I ask you to consider helping his costly re-election effort in this 11 county district by forwarding your contribution to:  Committee to Re-Elect Judge Lahtinen, 95 Ashley Road, Plattsburgh, New York 12901.