On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Times Union reported that New York State Supreme Court Justice James Walsh recused himself from a harassment lawsuit involving the chairpersons of Saratoga County’s Republican and Conservative committees. The decision follows a formal request for recusal submitted by the plaintiff, Marcia Murray, to the state Commission on Judicial Conduct earlier in October.
Walsh, a registered Republican, was initially assigned to the case on April 15. Prior to the media’s inquiry regarding Murray’s letter to the state commission, Walsh stated he was nearing a decision on pending motions to dismiss the lawsuit, as of October 10.
In a letter addressed to Judge Kris Singh, the district administrative judge for the Fourth Judicial District, Walsh clarified that no formal recusal request had been filed within the court. He also mentioned that he had prompted the attorneys involved to discuss the matter with their respective clients.
Despite his belief in his capacity to remain impartial, Walsh cited concerns regarding Murray’s letter to the state commission as the primary reason for his recusal, aiming to prevent any perceived impropriety. He described Murray’s letter as an “undated, unsigned, typed statement” that questioned his past rulings on unrelated cases. Walsh has requested the assignment of another judge to the case and offered to accept reassignment to balance the workload due to his recusal.
Murray, formerly the chair of the Malta Republican Committee, contested Walsh’s description of her letter, asserting that it was indeed dated and signed earlier in the month. She also refuted the judge’s claim that the letter contained misinformation. Murray stated that her request for a different judge stemmed from a perceived pattern in Walsh’s rulings, which she believes consistently favored the Republican Party.
Following Walsh’s recusal, Murray expressed her satisfaction, emphasizing that her pursuit of a fair and impartial judge was not a personal attack on Walsh. The case has now been assigned to acting Supreme Court Justice Amy Quinn, who presides in Essex County, according to Murray’s attorney, Oscar Schreiber.
Murray’s lawsuit, filed in February, alleges a pattern of verbal abuse, hostility, threats, and intimidation by Saratoga County Republican Chair Joseph Suhrada and county Conservative Chair Tom Sartin. These actions purportedly occurred after Murray’s committee chose not to endorse a candidate preferred by Suhrada and Sartin.
The lawsuit claims that tensions escalated at a February 3 meeting, during which Suhrada allegedly acted in a demeaning and hostile manner, while Sartin reportedly displayed unprecedented anger towards Murray.
Additionally, Murray alleges age and gender discrimination, highlighting her age of 66. She is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages for emotional distress and lost earnings resulting from her diminished ability to work as a real estate agent.
Michael Brandi, the attorney representing Suhrada, dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous, regardless of the presiding judge.
Source: Times Union
