NORWICH – Chenango County Democrats now have their own candidate in the race for county judge. Tuesday afternoon, longtime local attorney Diane DiStefano threw her hat in the ring, officially declaring her candidacy for Chenango County, Family and Surrogate Court Judge, a position that will open with the impending retirement of the Hon. Howard Sullivan.

“We are thrilled to have Diane represent the Democrats in this race and confident that she has the experience, qualifications and judicial temperament necessary for this position,” said local Democratic Party Chairman Patrick McNeil in making the announcement.

McNeil opened a rally for DiStefano in downtown Norwich’s East Side Park Tuesday afternoon, introducing first DiStefano’s longtime law partner Thomas Vitanza. Noting yesterday’s blustery temperatures, Vitanza commented, “The Republicans told us it would be a cold day in Hades before we ever got a Democrat elected to this position. This isn’t Hades, Diane, but I’d take this as a good sign.”

Vitanza went on to detail his association with DiStefano, and laud her qualifications for the position. Referring to veteran Judge Kevin Dowd, he said, “Diane will be another Kevin Dowd, I guarantee that.”

DiStefano has resided in Chenango County for over 20 years and was elected Guilford Town Justice at the age of 23. During her law school career at Albany Law, she relocated to the City of Norwich in 1998 and began working for what was then Vitanza, Shabus and Fertig. She continued her career with the practice, which ultimately became Vitanza, DiStefano and Dean, LLP where she is currently a partner. Her practice over the last 11 years has been devoted to family law, including divorce, custody and child support matters in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Madison, Broome and Cortland counties. DiStefano has also served as a Chenango County Assistant Public Defender since 2006. Her duties in this capacity include representation of clients in Family Court two days per week and in local criminal courts throughout the county.