Three Democrats, 1 Republican win seats on the Supreme Court for Central, Northern New York

Three Democrats and one Republican were elected to fill four open seats in the state’s top trial court for Central and Northern New York.

The four seats were previously held by three Republicans and one Democrat.

Elizabeth Snyder Fortino, a Democrat, led the pack, followed by Democrats Candace Randall and John Dillon. Incumbent James McClusky was the only of four Republicans to win a seat on the bench.

Four Republican Party and four Democratic Party candidates were vying to become State Supreme Court Justices for the state’s 5th Judicial District, which spans Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Herkimer, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

The state Supreme Court is unique as it hears a wide variety of cases. The justices can hear any case that might have been taken to trial: most are civil cases, som