Yates County Judge Jason Cook will appear on the Republican and Conservative ballot lines in this year’s election for state Supreme Court in the 7th Judicial District.
Delegates from all eight counties that comprise the 7th Judicial District were in attendance, according to a news release.
Judge Cook unanimously won these designations at separate Republican Party and Conservative Party Judicial Nominating Conventions last week.
Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties make up New York’s 7th Judicial District.
“I’m honored to have earned a place on the ballot in this year’s election for State Supreme Court Justice so I can to bring my decades of hands-on experience in our region’s courtrooms to work for the people of the 7th Judicial District,” said Judge Cook in a statement.
Judge Cook said he was humbled to have the unanimous support from the Republican and Conservative delegates at this year’s respective conventions.
He said he’s committed to working hard between now and the November election to deliver his message to 7th Judicial District voters.
In 2021, Judge Cook was appointed as the Supervising Judge for town and village courts in the following counties: Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben and Yates.
Serving as Yates County Judge since 2017, Judge Cook presides over all felony criminal cases in County Court, Family Court, Surrogate Court and Drug Treatment Court, as well as serving as the Pistol Permit Licensing Officer, according to the release.
In 2019, he was appointed as an Acting Justice of the State Supreme Court, where he presides over civil matters including matrimonial cases, guardianship applications, land and contract disputes and personal injury cases.
Judge Cook previously served as Yates County District Attorney from 2010 to 2013.
Earlier in his career, Cook also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Yates, Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler Counties, worked in private legal practice for Davidson & O’Mara, and served as an Adjunct Instructor at Keuka College.
He is a graduate of Ithaca College and Dickinson Law School.
Judge Cook, 51, lives in the Town of Milo in Yates County. He is active in the Penn Yan Lion’s Club, New York State Farm Bureau and United Methodist Church.
The Cook family has lived in Yates County for at least five generations and still runs a large beef cattle farm just outside of Penn Yan, continues the release.
Two positions are open and on the ballot for State Supreme Court this year.
Monroe County Judge James Vazzana was also nominated to run alongside Judge Cook on the Republican and Conservative lines.
The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
