OSWEGO COUNTY, NY – As longtime legislator Kimberly Seager prepares for her new position as Oswego County Family Court Judge, she is also preparing to step down from her seat on the Oswego County Legislature.

Seager ran in this month’s election as the only candidate on the line for the judgeship. She won the Republican Primary against incumbent Family Court Judge David Roman in September.

Though Roman hosted a write-in campaign against Seager for the seat, Seager walked away from the race with almost 20,000 more votes. Unofficial totals gave Seager 22,116 votes to Roman’s 2,657 write in votes.

Seager explained that the new position requires her resignation from the 10th District chair, which she has held since February 1997. She has also served as Majority Leader since the beginning of this year.

“It isn’t an option,” Seager said. “I have to resign by Dec. 31 but I haven‘t decided yet when I will submit my resignation.

“A family court judge can’t be political,” Seager explained. “Also, the position is so intense that you really have to focus all of your attention on that one job.”

Seager was first appointed to the legislative seat to fill a one-year vacancy. February would have marked her 12th year on the Legislature.

“It has been a phenomenal challenge,” she said. “I like to think that I have made a difference on a variety of issues. … Even when an issue didn’t go the way I wanted, I hope that I have brought a voice to the reasons why I decided to vote one way or another.”

Seager said that she would encourage anyone who serves on the Legislature to research the issues and bring a strong and educated position to the floor.

“It is important to always be certain why you are taking a certain action,” Seager said. “When you make a decision, stick with it.”

Seager said she is looking forward to her new position on the bench, which is a 10-year term.

“I am incredibly excited,” she said. “I am motivated by a lot of wonderful people around me and I believe that I am ready for the challenge.”

When she resigns, the 10th District will have a one-year vacancy that will have to be filled by appointment. Seager said she has told the Republican committees in both Volney and Schroeppel that “wants nothing to do with” the decision of who will fill the vacancy.

During last week’s Legislature meeting, the group presented Seager with flowers and a gavel in appreciation of her service to the county. A constituent also presented her with flowers.