The Women's Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties (WBAOSC)  announced its ratings of judicial candidates.

The WBAOSC Judicial  Screening Committee determines ratings based on judicial temperament, legal experience as both a judge and as a lawyer, knowledge of the law, and sensitivity to women's issues. The committee may rate each candidate as: "Approved,"  "Approved as Highly Qualified," or "Not Approved."  

 The rating "Approved" is reserved for candidates who have affirmatively demonstrated qualifications that are regarded to be necessary for the performance of the duties of the office for which the candidate is being considered.

The rating "Approved as Highly Qualified" is reserved for sitting judges who are seeking election or appointment to a judicial office that they have previously held.

In addition, a discretionary "commended" rating is available for any candidate approved or approved as highly qualified who has demonstrated an outstanding sensitivity to issues of gender bias, women,  children and minorities. The "commended" rating is not an endorsement of any candidate and may be given to more than one candidate for a particular office.  

 At the recommendation of the WBAOSC Judicial Screening Committee after  interviews conducted on October 5 and 10, WBAOSC has rated the judicial candidates as follows: 

For Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District:  

John Ciampoli: Nonparticipant 

Francesa E. Connolly: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified

Karen A. Ostberg: Nonparticipant 

John A. Sarcone: Nonparticipant 

Larry J. Schwartz: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified

Susan M. Sullivan-Bisceglia: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified

Rolf M. Thorsen: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified

Charley Wood: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified 

 For Orange County Family Court Judge:  

Richard Guertin: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified

James M. Hendry III: Unanimously Approved as Highly Qualified