PORT JERVIS, NY — The race for city court judge in Port Jervis has been certified by the Orange County Board of Elections, and James Hendry will be sworn in by outgoing Judge Victoria B. Campbell on December 31 at 1 p.m. in city council chambers. The ceremony is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

The election was slow to be determined because Hendry led by only 11 votes on Election Day with 286 absentee ballots uncounted. When the absentee ballots were opened, Hendry gained another 18 votes on his opponent of the 227 opened. There were 53 challenges made on the absentee ballots, primarily by the attorneys for Elisa Tutini and Karl Brebenec, the candidates for New York State Assembly. “A court action was filed on that Assembly race because it was so close,” said Hendry. “I had to wait for that action to unfold.”

Ultimately the Assembly candidates agreed to open more votes, and that gave Hendry enough votes to win his election, which was certified on December 15.

“I look forward to serving my hometown in this new capacity as judge,” Hendry said.