By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

Four years ago, incumbent Salina Town Judge Andrew Piraino overcame an unexpected challenge from fellow Republican Anthony LaValle to win re-election to his seventh term on the bench.

Last week, Piraino announced that he will ask voters to return him to office for an eighth four-year term this Nov. 2. Piraino is in his 28th year of holding court in the town of Salina, considered the busiest town court in Onondaga County.

The Committee to Re-elect Judge Piraino has named three honorary chairpersons: former Onondaga County Legislature Chairman William Sanford, Town Supervisor Colleen Gunnip, and Bill Tassone, the former Town of Salina Republican chairman.

“It is a great honor and privilege to have the support of Bill Sanford, Colleen Gunnip and Bill Tassone,” Piraino said. “I have had the pleasure of working alongside of Supervisor Gunnip serving the citizens of our great town. Bill Sanford, former Syracuse University rowing coach and longtime past chair of the county legislature has been a mentor and friend for many years. And Bill Tassone, past chairman of the town Republican committee, is also a longtime friend and mentor. I have always appreciated his advice and guidance.”

Piraino’s committee chairman, Dave Butler, is the owner of TLC Medical Transportation.    

“Dave has been a friend for many years,” Piraino said. “He has been my bailiff since day one, and I appreciate his friendship and guidance.”

In 2017, Liverpool’s village court judge, Anthony LaValle – a longtime Republican – was nominated by the town Democratic Party to run for the Salina judgeship. LaValle also accepted nomination by the Working Families Party.

But Piraino ran on four ballot lines – Republican, Conservative, Veterans and Independence – and he turned back the challenge rather handily, with a vote of 3,453 to 2,886, garnering 54.5 percent of the vote total, while LaValle trailed with 45.5 percent.

Last week, LaValle said he is seriously considering another run against Piraino this year. Town Democratic Committee Chairman Christopher Shepherd said he plans to meet soon with interested candidates including LaValle.

Piraino and his wife, the former Anne Marie Francoeur, reside in Liverpool and attend St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church. A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Piraino earned his law degree at Albany Law School in 1981. He is a past president of the Onondaga County Magistrates Association.

In addition to presiding over court, Piraino maintains a full-time private practice as a personal-injury attorney.