The Ballot Brief
Montgomery County, New York

New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District

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 Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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.

What this office does

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 › Montgomery County › New York Supreme Court Justice, 4th Judicial District

Bradley M. Wanner

Democratic

Biography

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.

Christine M. Clark

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Expanding access to justice for New Yorkers, including through the Attorney Emeritus Program
  • Applying the law fairly, consistently and thoughtfully in every case

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Tom Buchanan

Republican, Conservative

Top priorities
  • Maintaining a courtroom environment focused on professionalism, civility and respect for all participants
  • Keeping the court efficient, civil and accessible to all members of the community

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

John T. Ellis

Republican, Conservative

Top priorities
  • Issuing decisions that are balanced, fair and compassionate while adhering to statutes and case law
  • Resolving cases promptly, citing that justice delayed is justice denied

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Kate Hogan

Republican, Conservative

Top priorities
  • Delivering equal justice under the law and a just, fair and timely resolution of matters before the court

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Keith S. Massey Jr

Republican, Conservative

Biography

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.

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Questions about this race

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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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.

Verify this race
Candidate roster from official Montgomery 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 Montgomery County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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Also on your ballot

New York Assembly District 111New York Assembly District 118See all 4 Montgomery County races

Candidate profiles

Bradley M. Wanner, full profileChristine M. Clark, full profileTom Buchanan, full profileJohn T. Ellis, full profileKate Hogan, full profileKeith S. Massey Jr, full profileOfficial New York election office