Attorney seeks Family Court bench

Republican Primary expected in Fulton County this year

By MICHAEL ANICH/The Leader-Herald

JOHNSTOWN - Attorney John Clo announced Tuesday he is running for Fulton County Family Court judge.

Standing on the steps of the historic Fulton County Courthouse, the 47-year-old Gloversville city attorney and Montgomery County prosecutor said he is ready to take on the challenges of family court.

"I believe I am the best-qualified candidate for the Fulton County Family Court judgeship, and I believe that Fulton County deserves the best," Clo said in his prepared remarks to friends and family gathered outside the courthouse. "I am proud and honored to announce my candidacy for the position of Fulton County Family Court judge."

Clo, of 13 Lark St., Gloversville, was joined by his wife, Lynette, and their children, Noah and Evelyn, on the courthouse steps on a frigid morning.

His father - Norman Clo of Gloversville - said an eight-member campaign team led by Connie Cockrell was formed late last year.

"He's got a very energetic team," Clo said of his son's early campaign effort.

John Clo has a campaign Web site at www.johnclo.com.

"Family courts in New York state are quite unique," the candidate said. "Unlike most other courts a person may appear in, family courts deal exclusively with the well-being and the best interests of our children. Family courts are open to all at no administrative cost to the participant. Perhaps more importantly, and more than any other court, family courts touch all of our lives in some way."

Clo is vying for a position from which former Family Court Judge David F. Jung was removed last year. The position has a 10-year term and pays $136,700 annually.

After months of fighting to keep his seat on the bench, Jung was removed by the state's highest court Oct. 28. The state Commission on Judicial Conduct had recommended in January 2008 that Jung be removed, citing five cases in which Jung was accused of violating the rights of people appearing before him.

The position has been temporarily occupied for several months by Gloversville City Court Judge Vincent DeSantis.

Gov. David Paterson, a Democrat, must by law make an appointment to replace Jung until the November general election. That appointment is expected by late February.

Attorney Edward F. Skoda of Johnstown, also a Republican, already has been endorsed by both the Fulton County Republican and Democratic Committees for the Family Court judgeship, and other candidates may come forward to set up a GOP primary for the position in September.

Fulton County Republican Committee Chairwoman Susan McNeil said Tuesday the county GOP endorsed Skoda before any candidates publicly announced their intentions to run for the post because "we just wanted to jump aboard."

Clo, also a Republican, said he will be able to handle his city attorney duties while running for the family court judgeship. He noted he has been an assistant district attorney for 16 years. He has maintained a private law practice in Gloversville dedicated to working on family law issues, he said.

"During my entire time I have been practicing law, the majority of my work as an attorney has been spent working for the best interests of the children who appear before our family courts," Clo said.

"I have been before the family court literally hundreds of times over the years," he said. "Not only has the majority of my work as an attorney been spent representing children and their families in family court, it is the work that I find rewarding."

Clo said he has represented and assisted children, while also prosecuting parents who neglect or abuse children.

"And Family Court is not all litigation," Clo said. "Just last week, it was my pleasure to represent a couple in their adoption of a little boy who had previously been in the foster care system."

Clo said he looks forward to campaigning this spring and summer throughout the county. His campaign headquarters is at 32 Spring St., Gloversville.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com