BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

Democrat Nicole Duve is facing Republican Greg Storie in primary races for Republican, Conservative and Independence lines for St. Lawrence County Court Judge.

Duve has nearly 30 years of experience and has served as St. Lawrence County Assistant District Attorney, St. Lawrence County public defender, Franklin County court attorney, Potsdam town justice, St. Lawrence County district attorney and special assistant United States attorney, Northern District of New York.

Duve, a Democrat, who is also on the Working Families line and other in the race said she ran across multiple lines, because as judge she will be judge for everyone not just some people.

Duve is the principle law clerk for St. Lawrence County and said she has first hand experience with the many changes in the court system passed by the state last year.

She said courts will have to continue to be able to adjust to the dynamics of changes. She said courts are going to need to be able to flex and adjust as the laws demand.

Duve says what separates her most from her opponent is experience.

“She said she has spent nearly 30 years working in the county court system and won’t be looking for job training if she’s elected.

“It’s what I do, it’s what I’ve always done. It’s my passion and it’s my love,” she said.

In St. Lawrence County the judge is the authority that issues pistol permits. In St. Lawrence County Judge Jerome Richards, who retired recently, has been criticized by some for the restrictions he placed on pistol license holders.

Since his retirement, Judge Tatiana Coffinger has taken a new approach, offering residents a way to have some of their restrictions reduced by taking a pistol safety course.

Duve said she is a support of the Second Amendment and she understands people want fairness. She said she’s been asked about Coffinger’s approach to handling licenses and the safety courses now offered by the sheriff’s department and says

“I’m limited in what I can say, but I think everybody’s interests are served regardless of what side of the issue they are on, when people involved with pistol permits are educated,” she said.

Early voting can be done June 13-June 21 at St. Lawrence County Board of Elections, 80 State Highway 310 in Canton or by absentee ballot.

On-site voting will be held Tuesday June 23 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at local poll sites.

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