Binghamton Attorney Announces Candidacy for City Court

(Binghamton, NY) On Monday May 19, at 5:30 PM, longtime Binghamton attorney, Mike Baker, will announce his candidacy for Binghamton City Court Judge in this November’s election. Mike will make his formal announcement surrounded by friends and family at Terra Cotta located at 81 State Street in Binghamton.

“As City Court Judge, I will continue to serve the people of this city.  For over fifteen years, I have represented well over a thousand clients on various matters arising in the Binghamton City Court and will bring the same dedication and respect for the rule of law to the bench that I have long adhered to as an attorney.”  He added, “I look forward to meeting and listening to the citizens of the city during this campaign and hope to earn their trust and vote in November.”

Mike is currently a Senior Assistant Public Defender for Broome County. Prior to joining the office in 2005 and upon graduating from Albany Law school in 1997, Mike began his career with the Binghamton law firm of Chernin & Gold (which later merged with Levene Gouldin & Thompson).

Mike is past President of the Broome County Bar Association, a former member of the Local Rules Committee for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

In addition to his legal experience, Mike has also been deeply involved in the community for many years. He was appointed by former Binghamton Mayor Richard Bucci to the Community Development Advisory Committee, as a member of the Broome County Local Conditional Release Commission, on the Board of Trustees for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, completed the Broome Leadership Institute, instructed at Broome Community College and named one of Binghamton’s “20 under 40” in 2001.

Mr. Baker will compete for one of three City Court Judge slots that will be up for election this November.

Broome County has seen a growing trend of strong Republican electoral victories over the past several years, including flipping the Binghamton Mayor’s Office with the victory of Republican Rich David in 2013, flipping the Broome County Executive’s Office with the victory of Republican Debbie Preston in 2011 (and her re-election to a full term in 2012), flipping the County Legislature to a Republican Majority in 2010, and winning and currently holding 15 or 16 Town Supervisor seats.