Patch Candidate Profile: John Ortiz For Southampton Town Justice

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Southampton Town residents will be hitting the polls soon to elect local representatives.

The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 7.

Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

John A. Ortiz, a Democrat, is facing off against Republican candidate Gary Weber in the race for Southampton Town Justice.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of John A. Ortiz.

Name

John A. Ortiz

How old will you be as of Election Day?

65

Does your campaign have a website?

https://SouthamptonForward.org

What city or town do you live in?

Southampton, New York

What office are you seeking?

Town Justice, Town of Southampton

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Arts ; University of San Francisco School of Law, Juris Doctor

What is your occupation?

Attorney, 36 years

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife and two adult children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Planning commission, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, 14 years

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

After a long and successful legal career, I believe I still have a great deal to contribute to the benefit of my community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

While appreciating the limits of judicial campaign ethics, the strengths of my candidacy for town justice are based upon my 36-year career as a trial attorney, in both the public and private sectors. My legal career and my community involvement, together with my background, training and skills, position me for successfully addressing the future challenges of the town justice position. I also will be able to bring 'fresh eyes' to the current workings of the court and what innovations and improvements can and should be made to the benefit of the community.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My core values and vision for this town justice position would simply be described as endeavoring to ensure safety within the community, together with an emphasis on the fair and equitable administration of justice to all appearing before the court, including those in the jurisdiction affected by the various matters brought before the court.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over the course of my career as a prosecutor and civil trial attorney, and while raising a family with my better half (who also had a full-time career), I was always involved in my community and sought to make it better. I served for many years on my town's planning commission, the local Little League board, on an ESL non-profit board and helped many neighbors with legal issues. The town justice position will allow me to continue to serve and help my community, using all that I have learned both in and out of courtrooms and law offices.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Hang in there, keep moving forward.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Though I did not grow up locally, my family and I have chosen to live here and make it our forever home. I have always cared about what is going on in my community and what I can do to make things better.