BUFFALO — Judge Amy Martoche has claimed victory over Republican Gerald J. Greenan for a vacant state Supreme Court seat in the Eighth Judicial District in Western New York.

Martoche, a Democrat, trailed Greenan when the polls closed on Nov. 3, but received enough support in absentee and mail-in ballots to overtake Greenan.

“Thank you to the more than 350,000 voters from across the eight counties of Western New York who elected me as your next state Supreme Court justice,” Martoche said. “I am honored to be able to serve the Western New York community that I love so much. I am gratified that the voters agreed that qualifications matter, and am overwhelmed by the number of voters from all parties that went to great lengths to exercise their rights to make their voices heard during a pandemic.”

Martoche was rated well qualified by the Bar Association of Erie County while Greenan was rated unqualified, which speaks volumes when evaluating potential judges. Martoche has served eight years as a Buffalo City Court judge, where she has presided over the state’s first Human Trafficking Intervention HUB Court since its inception, acted as acting Erie County Court Judge since 2014, presided over Buffalo City Court’s Domestic Violence Part for two years and has been a member of the statewide Judicial Committee on Human Trafficking.

Martoche also has local ties as a longtime summer resident of Chautauqua County.