Edward “Russ” Kenyon announces run for Ontario County Court judge

Feb. 16--Attorney Edward "Russ" Kenyon threw his hat in the ring this week for Ontario County Court judge. Kenyon, who is East Bloomfield town justice, has worked for the past 25 years in private legal practice at Kenyon and Kenyon Law Firm in Canandaigua, in partnership with his father, Bill Kenyon.

"The people who appear in Ontario County Court may be facing the toughest challenges in their lives," stated Kenyon. "They must have confidence that the Judge presiding over their cases will make decisions without fear, without favor, and without bias. As the only candidate with critical judicial experience, voters can look at my record and see that I am committed to serving with the highest level of integrity and honor."

Kenyon's announcement means a Republican primary brewing for the seat being vacated by Judge William Kocher. Kocher reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 this year, so the seat must be filled by election.

Republican Kristina "Kitty" Karle announced last month her candidacy for the judge seat. A private practice attorney and former prosecutor, Karle last fall lost her bid in the race for Ontario County district attorney. Karle recently announced receiving the endorsement of the Town of Gorham Republican Committee for the judge seat. It is not clear whether the Ontario County Republican Committee will endorse a candidate.

Kenyon stated he has presided over hundreds of cases covering a wide range of legal matters, including criminal, civil, small claims, landlord-tenant and municipal law matters. He added his experience includes conducting "many arraignments, hearings, dispositions and trials."

"I'm honored to serve our community as Town Judge because it provides countless opportunities for me to have a positive impact on the lives of so many local families," Kenyon stated. "This year I'm running for County Judge to put my legal and judicial experience to work for all of the people of Ontario County."

He noted that in his private practice he has represented hundreds of senior citizens -- helping them plan for long-term care, Medicaid, disability and estate planning. He mentioned also a long list of volunteer service with organizations such as Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce; Ontario ARC; Ontario County Tourism Promotion Bureau; Finger Lakes Visitors Connection; Canandaigua Senior Housing; NYS Office of the Aging; Ontario County Office for the Aging and FF Thompson Health System Ethics Committee. Kenyon also mentioned helping "countless children in our community as a volunteer coach and official for youth soccer, skiing, swimming and diving."

Kenyon is a graduate of Marcus Whitman High School, the University of Rochester and the Wake Forrest University School of Law. He lives in East Bloomfield with his wife, Heather (also a graduate of Marcus Whitman), who is a school psychologist with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. They have two children who attend Bloomfield High School.

"I've spent my life and career listening and learning from everyone around me," stated Kenyon. "That's what a good Judge should do. Over the next 10 months, I look forward to working hard to listen to the voters of Ontario County so they can voice their concerns and I can share information about my qualifications."

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