6 candidates are tracked for New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Bradley M. Wanner, Christine M. Clark, Tom Buchanan, John T. Ellis, Kate Hogan and Keith S. Massey Jr. Candidate information follows official Essex County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Voters choose 4 justices. Supreme Court justices are elected by judicial district; the 4th Judicial District covers Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties, so this race is on every ballot there. Names and party lines follow the State Board of Elections certification for the November 3, 2026 ballot; a name listed on more than one party line is one candidate.
Appellate or supreme court justice. Appellate judges review decisions of trial courts for legal error rather than retrying facts. A state supreme court is the final word on state law and the state constitution. Candidates may describe their experience and judicial philosophy but may not promise outcomes in particular cases.
This race. Voters choose 4; the top 4 finishers win seats. The sitting officeholder, Christine M. Clark, is on the ballot.
New York › Essex County › New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District
Democratic
Bradley M. Wanner is a partner at Harris Beach Murtha PLLC on the firm's Municipalities and Local Agencies team, per the firm's website. He previously worked in a municipal Special Litigation Unit defending the city in tort lawsuits, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.
Democratic Incumbent
Per the campaign site.
Christine M. Clark is a sitting New York Supreme Court Justice, elected in 2013 and designated to the Appellate Division, Third Department, since 2014, per her campaign site. She previously served as a Schenectady County Family Court and City Court judge and as a Schenectady County prosecutor, including as bureau chief of the Special Victims Unit.
Republican, Conservative
Per the campaign site.
Tom Buchanan is a sitting New York Supreme Court Justice in the 4th Judicial District, serving since his election in 2012, per his campaign site. He describes his approach around experience, fairness and service, maintaining a courtroom environment focused on professionalism and civility.
Republican, Conservative
Per the campaign site.
John T. Ellis is a sitting New York Supreme Court Justice in the 4th Judicial District, serving since his 2012 election, per his campaign site. He previously served as a Family Court Support Magistrate and an assistant district attorney in Franklin County.
Republican, Conservative
Per the campaign site.
Kate Hogan is a New York State Court of Claims judge, appointed by Governor Cuomo after nearly 16 years as Warren County District Attorney, per the Post-Star; she is not currently a Supreme Court Justice. She is running for New York Supreme Court, 4th Judicial District, in the November 2026 election, per her campaign site.
Republican, Conservative
Keith S. Massey Jr is an Ogdensburg City Court Judge, appointed in December 2020, per WWNY-TV; he is not currently a Supreme Court Justice. He previously served as Chief Assistant District Attorney for St. Lawrence County and as a Deputy Attorney General in New Jersey. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.
Who is running for New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District in 2026?
6 candidates are tracked for New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Bradley M. Wanner, Christine M. Clark, Tom Buchanan, John T. Ellis, Kate Hogan and Keith S. Massey Jr. Candidate information follows official Essex County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District election in New York?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New York are on the New York election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Essex County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Essex County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official New York election office, or see the full Essex County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
4 tracked races in Essex County, New York. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.