Broome County Supreme Court Justice Eugene Faughnan has been chosen as the new administrative judge for New York's Sixth Judicial District, which covers areas of Central New York and the Southern Tier, state court officials said Wednesday.

Faughnan was chosen to replace Justice Molly Reynolds Fitzgerald, who was appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month to serve on the Appellate Division, Third Department. 

Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks said in a statement Wednesday that he's planning to work closely with Faughnan to advance the judiciary's statewide initiatives in the Sixth Judicial District.

"Judge Faughnan is an experienced judge and adept manager whose hardworking nature, integrity and other fine qualities will serve him well in carrying out the multiple demands of this important administrative assignment," Marks said. 

"I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to streamline operations and make other improvements to advance the quality of justice throughout the Sixth Judicial District," he continued.

Faughnan was first elected to the state Supreme Court in Broome County in November 2013. His current term is set to end in 2027. Faughnan, at the time, ran on the Republican and Conservative Party ballot lines. 

Before his time on the bench, Faughnan was a partner at Binghamton law firm Hinman Howard & Kattell, which has offices across New York state, as well as Pennsylvania and Florida. Faughnan was a partner at the firm for 16 years but started there as an associate in 1991.

Faughnan also was a commissioner of the Broome County Board of Elections from 2007 until his election to the bench in 2013. He was a Republican member of the board. He's a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law.

In announcing Faughnan's appointment, Marks thanked Fitzgerald for her service as the Sixth Judicial District's administrative judge. She was in the role for three years.

"I want to thank Judge Fitzgerald for all her efforts as the District's Administrative Judge over the past three years and congratulate on her appointment to the appellate bench," Marks said.

The Sixth Judicial District encompasses Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins counties. Faughnan's appointment takes effect immediately.

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