2026 New York General Election

Anthony Portesy’s campaign biography states: “I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Selden by two hardworking parents who taught me the value of honesty, sacrifice, and service. I graduated from Newfield High School and later from Stony Brook University, carrying with me a lesson my father taught me after losing his job when I was young: ‘Get your education. They can take your job, but they can never take away your education.’”

Anthony Portesy for Suffolk

Anthony R. Portesy was born in Brooklyn and raised in Selden. He graduated from Newfield High School and later from Stony Brook University.

The campaign biography says: “After graduating from New York Law School in 2013, I built a career focused on helping workers, small businesses, and communities succeed. Today, I serve as Deputy General Counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, overseeing labor, employment, and operational legal matters for one of Long Island’s largest employers.”

Anthony R. Portesy currently serves as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel.

Anthony currently serves as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel.

The article reports that Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo “was set to face Anthony Portesy (D-Melville) this year. Last Monday, Portesy abruptly quit the race.” It further reports that Portesy had previously said he was “in it to win it” in the clerk contest.

Democratic Candidate Quits Suffolk Clerk Race

Anthony previously ran for Suffolk County clerk but withdrew from the race.

Anthony R. Portesy previously ran for Suffolk County clerk but withdrew from the race.

Serves as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, overseeing labor, employment, and operational legal matters.

- Serves as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, overseeing labor, employment, and operational legal matters.

Legal Experience

As of September 9, 2026, Anthony R. Portesy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Anthony R. Portesy

Anthony R. Portesy was born in Brooklyn and raised in Selden. He graduated from Newfield High School and later from Stony Brook University. He is married to Samantha.

Anthony R. Portesy currently works as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel. He previously worked at King Kullen.

Anthony previously ran for superintendent of highways in the Town of Brookhaven but did not win.

Anthony R. Portesy was born in Brooklyn and raised in Selden. He graduated from Newfield High School and Stony Brook University. He is married to Samantha, and they were expecting their first child in September.

Anthony R. Portesy currently serves as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel. He previously worked at King Kullen while attending law school.

Anthony previously ran for Town of Brookhaven superintendent of highways but did not win.

- Serves as deputy general counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, overseeing legal matters related to labor, employment, and operations.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Eric Sachs earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 1985 and began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County.

About Judge Eric Sachs | Eric Sachs for Supreme Court

Eric Sachs earned a law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1985.

From 1985 through 1989, he prosecuted criminal matters ranging from violations to violent felonies.

He then spent three decades in private practice, with extensive work representing people accused of DWI-related offenses in New York and other states. He was later elected to the Suffolk County District Court bench.

Eric previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Bronx County and spent three decades in private practice.

2018
ELECTED TO THE BENCH

Became a Suffolk County District Court Judge and later served as an Acting County Court Judge.

Experience | Eric Sachs for Supreme Court

Eric was elected as a Suffolk County District Court judge in 2018.

Prosecuted criminal matters as an assistant district attorney in Bronx County from 1985 through 1989.

Represented people accused of offenses related to driving while intoxicated in New York and other states during three decades in private practice.

Served as a Suffolk County District Court Judge after being elected in 2018.

- Prosecuted criminal matters as an assistant district attorney in Bronx County from 1985 through 1989.
- Represented people accused of offenses related to driving while intoxicated in New York and other states during three decades in private practice.
- Served as a Suffolk County District Court Judge after being elected in 2018.
- Served as an Acting County Court Judge.

As of September 9, 2026, Eric Sachs’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As Presiding Judge of the Suffolk County DWI Treatment Court, Judge Sachs works in a problem-solving court designed to combine close judicial supervision with treatment and accountability.

As presiding judge of the Suffolk County Driving While Intoxicated Treatment Court, works in a problem-solving court combining close judicial supervision with treatment and accountability.

- As presiding judge of the Suffolk County Driving While Intoxicated Treatment Court, works in a problem-solving court combining close judicial supervision with treatment and accountability.

His community work includes participating in student mock-trial programs and welcoming young people into the courtroom to learn about law and civic responsibility.

Community | Eric Sachs for Supreme Court

A BROADER COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.

Eric has served as an Aircraft Commander with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. His aviation background also informed his legal teaching on representing airmen and mechanics in FAA-related matters.

Participates in student mock-trial programs and welcomes young people into the courtroom to learn about law and civic responsibility.

Served as an Aircraft Commander with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

- Participates in student mock-trial programs and welcomes young people into the courtroom to learn about law and civic responsibility.
- Served as an Aircraft Commander with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Eric Sachs

Milan Parker

LinkedIn

James A. McDonaugh earned a bachelor's degree in business from the State University of New York Oneonta and a law degree from the University of Memphis.

James has experience as a law firm partner and as an assistant district attorney.

James has been an Acting County Court Judge in New York State since 2022 and the District Court Judge for Suffolk County for over 14 years.

3.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide 

As a state district court judge, he oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As a state district court judge, he oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As of September 9, 2026, James A. McDonaugh did not have a website or any information online.

James A. McDonaugh

As of September 9, 2026, James A. McDonaugh’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

John Iliou earned a bachelor's degree in business from Hostra University and a law degree from Albany Law School.

John is currently a judge in New York's 10th Judicial District.

3.1 Judicial Candidate Resources Guide

As a state supreme court justice, oversees civil and criminal trials outside the jurisdiction of lower trial courts and exercises exclusive authority to grant divorces, annulments, and legal separations.

- As a state supreme court justice, oversees civil and criminal trials outside the jurisdiction of lower trial courts and exercises exclusive authority to grant divorces, annulments, and legal separations.

As of September 9, 2026, John Iliou did not have a website or any information online.

John Iliou

As of September 9, 2026, John Iliou’s website did not contain information on this issue.

John was elected as a Suffolk County District Court judge in 2005 and served until 2012.

A long-time resident of Deer Park and a direct descendent of Irish immigrants on both his maternal and paternal sides, Judge Kelly is currently sits on the Suffolk County District Court in the Tenth Judicial District of New York, having been elected to this bench in 2019.

Leg. Tom Donnelly Honors The Hon. Judge John Kelly of Deer Park as Irish American of Distinction

### Education

* New York Law School, Juris Doctorate, 1985
* SUNY at Stonybrook, Bachelor of Arts, 1980

John Kelly | District Court Judge

Judge Kelly is an active member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, Deer Park; Our Lady of the Rosary Council Knights of Columbus, Deer Park; and the Moose Lodge, Lindenhurst, In the community, he has coached Little League baseball, girls and boys CYO basketball and, for the last 7 years, the Deer Park High School Mock Trial Team.

John Kelly is a long-time resident of Deer Park. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Stony Brook and a law degree from New York Law School. He is an active member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, Our Lady of the Rosary Council Knights of Columbus, and the Moose Lodge.

Leg. Tom Donnelly Honors The Hon. Judge John Kelly of Deer Park ...

### Qualified

* Adjunct Professor at Long Island University
2001 – Present
* Lecturer Suffolk County Academy of Law
2001 – 2019

* Adjunct Professor at Long Island University
2001 – Present
* Lecturer Suffolk County Academy of Law
2001 – 2019

### Dedicated

* Family Court Law Guardian
1992 – 2000
* Supreme Court Referee
1996 – 2000
* Court Appointed Attorney for the Indigent
1992 – 2000

* Family Court Law Guardian
1992 – 2000
* Supreme Court Referee
1996 – 2000
* Court Appointed Attorney for the Indigent
1992 – 2000

* Supreme Court Referee
1996 – 2000
* Court Appointed Attorney for the Indigent
1992 – 2000

* Court Appointed Attorney for the Indigent
1992 – 2000
* Trial Preparation Assistant Manhattan District Attorney
1982 – 1985

John Kelly currently works as an adjunct professor at Long Island University. He previously worked as a lecturer at the Suffolk County Academy of Law, a Family Court law guardian, a Supreme Court referee, a court-appointed attorney for indigent people, and a trial preparation assistant for the Manhattan District Attorney.

John currently works as an adjunct professor at Long Island University. He previously worked as a lecturer at the Suffolk County Academy of Law, a Family Court law guardian, a Supreme Court referee, a court-appointed attorney for indigent people, and a trial preparation assistant for the Manhattan District Attorney.

A long-time resident of Deer Park and a direct descendent of Irish immigrants on both his maternal and paternal sides, Judge Kelly is currently sits on the Suffolk County District Court in the Tenth Judicial District of New York, having been elected to this bench in 2019. He has also served as Family Court Judge, acting Supreme Court Judge, County Attorney referee, Acting County Court Judge, Domestic Violence Court Judge and in Juvenile Treatment Family Court.

John currently serves as a judge on the Suffolk County District Court in New York's 10th Judicial District. He was elected to the bench in 2019.

Hon. John Kelly
District Court Judge, Acting County Court Judge, Domestic Violence Part 1/Human Trafficking Court

Suffolk Domestic Violence Court | New York Courts

* Supreme Court Referee
1996 – 2000
* Court Appointed Attorney for the Indigent
1992 – 2000
* Trial Preparation Assistant Manhattan District Attorney
1982 – 1985

Served as a Family Court Law Guardian from 1992 to 2000.

Serves as a Suffolk County district court judge, elected in 2019.

Previously served as a Family Court judge.

Previously served as an acting Supreme Court judge.

Previously served as a county attorney referee.

Previously served as a domestic violence court judge and in Juvenile Treatment Family Court.

Serves as an acting county court judge in Domestic Violence Part 1 and Human Trafficking Court.

Served as a Supreme Court referee from 1996 to 2000.

Served as a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients from 1992 to 2000.

- Served as a Family Court Law Guardian from 1992 to 2000.
- Serves as a Suffolk County district court judge, elected in 2019.
- Previously served as a Family Court judge.
- Previously served as an acting Supreme Court judge.
- Previously served as a county attorney referee.
- Previously served as a domestic violence court judge and in Juvenile Treatment Family Court.
- Serves as an acting county court judge in Domestic Violence Part 1 and Human Trafficking Court.
- Served as a Supreme Court referee from 1996 to 2000.
- Served as a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients from 1992 to 2000.

As of September 9, 2026, John Kelly did not have a website or any information online.

Coached girls' and boys' CYO basketball in the community.

Active member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Deer Park.

Active member of Our Lady of the Rosary Council Knights of Columbus in Deer Park.

Active member of the Moose Lodge in Lindenhurst.

Coached Little League baseball in the community.

Coached the Deer Park High School Mock Trial Team for seven years.

- Coached girls' and boys' CYO basketball in the community.
- Active member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Deer Park.
- Active member of Our Lady of the Rosary Council Knights of Columbus in Deer Park.
- Active member of the Moose Lodge in Lindenhurst.
- Coached Little League baseball in the community.
- Coached the Deer Park High School Mock Trial Team for seven years.

John Kelly

- Serves as an acting county court judge in Domestic Violence Part 1 and Human Trafficking Court.
- Served as a Supreme Court referee from 1996 to 2000.
- Served as a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients from 1992 to 2000.

As of September 9, 2026, John Kelly’s website did not contain information on this issue.

John Kelly is a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Deer Park, Our Lady of the Rosary Council Knights of Columbus in Deer Park, and the Moose Lodge in Lindenhurst. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a law degree from New York Law School. He has coached Little League baseball, girls' and boys' Catholic Youth Organization basketball, and the Deer Park High School Mock Trial Team.

John Kelly currently works as an adjunct professor at Long Island University. He previously worked as a lecturer at the Suffolk County Academy of Law.

John currently serves as a judge on the Suffolk County District Court in New York's 10th Judicial District. He was elected in 2019.

John Kelly is a long-time resident of Deer Park.

- Served as a Family Court Law Guardian from 1992 to 2000.
- Served as a Supreme Court Referee from 1996 to 2000.
- Served as a court-appointed attorney for clients unable to afford legal representation from 1992 to 2000.
- Served as a trial preparation assistant in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office from 1982 to 1985.
- Served as a Suffolk County District Court judge from 2001 to 2003.
- Served as a Suffolk County Family Court judge from 2004 to 2013.
- Served as an acting Suffolk County Supreme Court justice from 2008 to 2013.

John Kelly is a resident of Deer Park. He is an active member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Deer Park.

- Serves as a Suffolk County District Court judge and acting County Court judge, assigned to Domestic Violence Part 1 and Human Trafficking Court.

Joy is a resident of Hempstead, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany in 1982. She subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from the Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law in 1985,

Joy M. Watson currently serves as a Judge on the Nassau County Family Court.

Joy began her legal career serving as an Assistant District Attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office for nearly 20 years (1986–2005), eventually rising to serve as Deputy Bureau Chief of the Major Offense Bureau and Bureau Chief of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Bureau. She subsequently worked as the Principal Law Clerk to Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Karen V. Murphy (2006–2010), served as Deputy Comptroller for Nassau County (2010–2013), and worked Of Counsel for the firm Sepe & O'Mahony. Additionally, she has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Molloy College since 2006.

Served as a Special Prosecutor in the high-profile vehicular assault case of People of the State of New York v. Elizabeth Grubman.

- Served as a Special Prosecutor in the high-profile vehicular assault case of People of the State of New York v. Elizabeth Grubman.

As of September 9, 2026, Joy M. Watson did not have a website or any information online.

Joy M. Watson

A Suffolk native raised by her father, a schoolteacher, and her mother, a school principal, Wilutis, then known as Karen Eide, graduated from Vassar College in 1980 and three years later received her law degree from the Emory University School of Law.

Long Island judge Karen Wilutis hears Suffolk's most harrowing cases, from child rape to sex trafficking - Newsday

.Karen M. Wilutis earned a degree from Vassar College received her law degree from the Emory University School of Law.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis presides over the Felony Sex Offense Court in Suffolk County, where cases include charges of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

The court is among the busiest in Suffolk, with 130 pending indictments and 200 probation compliance cases that she oversees.

Wilutis worked in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, as Brookhaven town attorney and a criminal defense attorney before becoming a judge.

Karen previously worked in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, as Brookhaven town attorney and a criminal defense attorney.

She then worked in Suffolk's Family Court as a county attorney referee, which oversees issues such as custody, visitation and orders of protection. She was again elected a district court judge in 2021 and was assigned by court administration to the Sex Offense Court in 2022.

Wilutis, 67, was elected a Suffolk County district court judge in 2013, serving a six-year term. During her time on the bench, she presided over courts specializing in DWI and domestic violence. In 2019, she took over the sex crimes court, but was later defeated in her reelection bid.

Karen is a judge on the Suffolk County District Court and has served from 2022 to the present and from 2013 to 2019. 

In 1984, she went to work for then-Suffolk County District Attorney Patrick Henry, a Republican, handling cases in the District Court, Grand Jury, Screening and Major Crime bureaus until 1988.

Worked in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office from 1984 to 1988, handling cases in district court and the grand jury, screening, and major-crime bureaus.

Served a six-year term as a Suffolk County district court judge after being elected in 2013.

As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- Worked in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office from 1984 to 1988, handling cases in district court and the grand jury, screening, and major-crime bureaus.
- As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As of September 9, 2026, Karen M. Wilutis did not have a website or any information online.

Karen M. Wilutis

As of September 9, 2026, Karen M. Wilutis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Serves as a County Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice.

Was elected as a district court judge in 2021 and assigned to Suffolk County's Sex Offense Court in 2022.

Kelly received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law.

McDonough and Mullen are currently Suffolk District Criminal Term judges. Mullen was previously an Islip Town councilwoman. Reape's LinkedIn page lists her as an attorney with Guercio & Guercio, which bills itself as "one of New York State's leading school law firms."

Cross-endorsement deal fallout: 3 new GOP candidates for state Supreme seats

Kelly A. Reape works as an attorney with Guercio & Guercio.

Blakeman's Brady Bunch blitz - Newsday

Kelly A. Reape began her legal career in Suffolk County first as an Assistant District Attorney and then as an Assistant County Attorney in the General Litigation Department. Kelly then spent 4 years in the Long Island Railroad Law Department. In 2005, Kelly joined Guercio & Guercio, LLP

As of September 9, 2026, Kelly A. Reape’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kelly A. Reape

As of September 9, 2026, Leonard D. Steinman did not have a website or any information online.

Leonard D. Steinman

Candidate website

Mary E. Porter earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Howard University and a law degree from Temple University School of Law.

Mary has served on the bench of the Suffolk County Family Court since 2022.

Mary began her legal career as a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney and later served as Executive Director of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission. She also served as Principal Law Clerk to Suffolk County's District Administrative Judge, gaining extensive experience in court administration.

As a family court judge, she reviews and grants requests for domestic and dating violence protection orders, and administers the proceedings of divorce, spousal support, and the division of child custody and support.

- As a family court judge, she reviews and grants requests for domestic and dating violence protection orders, and administers the proceedings of divorce, spousal support, and the division of child custody and support.

As of September 9, 2026, Mary E. Porter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mary E. Porter

As of September 9, 2026, Mary E. Porter did not have a website or any information online.

As of September 9, 2026, Mary Kate Mullen did not have a website or any information online.

In Patch's 2019 candidate questionnaire, Mullen answered a question asking her to describe issues defining her campaign platform: “As the Town Board member on the opioid task force, I will continue to fight to end the opioid crisis within the Town of Islip. If elected, I will work to improve the infrastructure throughout the Town, including adding sewers, dredging of Browns River in Sayville, and paving of roads throughout the entire town.”

Candidate Profile: Mary Kate Mullen For Islip Town Council

Serves on the Town of Islip opioid task force.

- Serves on the Town of Islip opioid task force.

Mary Kate Mullen

As of September 9, 2026, Mary Kate Mullen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mary Kate Mullen earned a bachelor's degree from Fairfield University and a law degree from St. John's University School of Law.

Mary Kate Mullen previously worked as an attorney for 24 years and as an assistant district attorney prosecuting cases for the people of Suffolk County.

Mary Kate serves as a district court judge on the Suffolk County District Court and was elected to the position in November. She previously served four years on the Islip Town Board.

The Senate considered Richard Ambro's nomination to the Suffolk County Court on May 4, 2010. During the floor proceeding, a senator stated: "Judge Ambro is joined in the gallery today by his wife, Susan, and his sons, Matthew and Terrence."

2010-05-04T15:57 | NYSenate.gov

Richard Ambro is married to Susan and has two sons.

NEW YORK STATE SENATE — THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD — May 4, 2010 (3:57 p.m.), Regular Session

Richard Ambro earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York, Oneonta, and a law degree from Widener University. He is a married father of two.

During the Senate's May 4, 2010 consideration of Ambro's nomination, Senator Kenneth LaValle described Ambro's prior work: "And one of the things -- and I'll say it again here for everyone -- he has been the chief law clerk to Judge Hinrichs, Suffolk County."

Richard previously worked as chief law clerk to Judge Hinrichs in Suffolk County.

Richard Ambro - Ballotpedia

Richard currently serves as a judge for the New York Supreme Court 10th Judicial District.

3.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide

As a state supreme court justice, he oversees civil and criminal trials outside the jurisdiction of lower trial courts and exercises exclusive authority to grant divorces, annulments, and legal separations.

- As a state supreme court justice, he oversees civil and criminal trials outside the jurisdiction of lower trial courts and exercises exclusive authority to grant divorces, annulments, and legal separations.

As of September 9, 2026, Richard Ambro did not have a website or any information online.

Richard Ambro

As of September 9, 2026, Richard Ambro’s website did not contain information on this issue.

In 2010, Richard Ambro was from Wading River, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Oneonta and a law degree from Widener University School of Law. He is married to Susan and has two sons.

Richard Ambro previously served as chief law clerk to Judge Hinrichs in Suffolk County.

Richard currently serves as a Supreme Court justice. He was confirmed as a judge of the Suffolk County Court.

- Was confirmed as a Suffolk County Court judge in 2010.
- Serves as the supervising judge of the County Court and as a Supreme Court justice, overseeing civil and criminal trials.

Richard Ambro lives in Wading River. He is married to Susan and has two sons.

Richard Ambro served as chief law clerk to Judge Hinrichs in Suffolk County.

- Serves as supervising judge of Suffolk County Court and as a New York Supreme Court justice.
- Served as chief law clerk to Judge Hinrichs in Suffolk County.
- Served as a Suffolk County Court judge.

Richard Ambro earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oneonta and a law degree from Widener University School of Law. He lives in Wading River.

Richard Ambro previously worked as law secretary to Judge Randall Hinrichs and for the Suffolk Legal Aid Society.

- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 

New York Supreme Court Judge, 10th District

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New York Supreme Court Judge, 10th District

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