Chemung County Judge Chris Baker announces campaign for State Supreme Court In 10-County Sixth Judicial District

Chemung County Judge Chris Baker recently launched his campaign for New York State Supreme Court in this fall’s election. The Sixth Judicial District encompasses all of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins Counties. The vacancy in this office was created by the recent retirement of Judge Judy O’Shea.

“State Supreme Court is one of the most critical positions in our legal system, having a direct impact on the lives of countless New Yorkers every day,” said Judge Baker. “I’m running to serve the people of the Sixth Judicial District so I can bring my decades of legal and judicial experience to this critical position.”

Judge Baker, 49, was born and raised in Elmira, and lives with his wife, Karen, and their two sons on the same street where he grew up. As the son of a Chemung County Probation Officer and St. Joseph’s Hospital Nurse, Baker worked his way through SUNY Buffalo Law School by bartending and waiting tables at Bernie Murray’s Restaurant.

In 2016, he was elected to serve as Chemung County Judge. Since taking office, Judge Baker has presided over thousands of cases covering all aspects of the law. In 2018, he was appointed to serve as an Acting State Supreme Court Judge to help alleviate the caseload within this court.

From 2000 to 2016, Judge Baker served as the Confidential Attorney, Counselor and Principal Law Clerk for State Supreme Court Judge O’Shea, whom he is running to succeed. During that time, he was the only attorney in the 10-county Sixth Judicial District to be appointed as a Judicial Hearing Officer, serving as Judge to adjudicate employee disciplinary and misconduct charges throughout the State.

“My combination of experience – currently serving as County Judge and Acting State Supreme Court Judge, on top of previously serving for 17 years in State Supreme Court – has prepared me for the challenging cases that come before this court,” added Judge Baker. “It would be an honor to bring this experience to serve even more Upstate New Yorkers throughout the ten counties of the Sixth Judicial District.”

In addition to his extensive work in the judiciary, Judge Baker previously served as an Assistant District Attorney under former District Attorney and Chemung County Judge Jim Hayden, and in private practice early in his legal career. He is also known for his volunteer work in the community, having served on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, including serving as President during the challenging merger with Arnot Ogden, and as Chapter President of the American Red Cross, where he raised money, food and supplies for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He also served as a youth sports coach for tee ball, soccer and lacrosse for many years.

Judge Baker is a Republican. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.