John LaMancuso said it was an honor to be elected Jamestown City Court judge. He will take the bench in January. P-J file photo

John LaMancuso acknowledged his campaign for Jamestown City Court judge did not go as originally planned. Though running unopposed, the city native and local attorney looked forward to meeting with residents.

“I do regret not being able to visit more voters, go door-to-door and be more engaged the past couple of months during the campaign,” he said.

With his wife and a group of supporters, LaMancuso has been caring for his son, Johnny, who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – a rare form of cancer that occurs in the bones or in the soft tissue around the bones. A highly attended fundraiser to assist the family was held over the weekend in Bemus Point.

“For me, family has been the No. 1 priority. When something like this happens, you have to shift your focus a little bit,” LaMancuso told The Post-Journal on Wednesday, a day after he officially secured the 10-year city court judge post. “I don’t want people to think that I just pushed all that to the side and it wasn’t important to me.”

LaMancuso said his family is incredibly grateful for the support the community has shown his son. He said the same goes for his election as city court judge, a spot on the bench his father has occupied.

“It’s an honor to have been elected by the community where I grew up, and it’s a privilege to be able to serve the residents of the city of Jamestown in this capacity,” he said.

“I want to express my deep gratitude for everyone who has supported me in pursuing this office,” he continued. “I want to thank all my family and friends for helping me along the way.”

Come January, LaMancuso will work alongside the city’s other judge, George Panebianco.

An attorney with the Lewis & Lewis Law Firm in Jamestown, LaMancuso was endorsed for judge by the Jamestown Democratic Committee. He also serves as the village attorney for Lakewood.

With his election, LaMancuso said he will be stepping away from private practice and his work with the village.

“Obviously, that creates a bittersweet moment because I’ve really enjoyed helping all my clients, including the village of Lakewood and working with all the fine people at the village of Lakewood and trying to help people in our community through difficult challenges in their lives,” he said. “I’ve really, really enjoyed all of that, so definitely a bittersweet moment having to walk away from that. But sweet to open this new chapter in my career, and really thankful I have the opportunity to do that.”

Lakewood Mayor Randy Holcomb, speaking on behalf of the village, said LaMancuso has been an “exceptional” village attorney who has helped during the “difficult times” and was always available for the “little things” as well.

“We wish him the best of luck as judge in Jamestown,” Holcomb said.

LaMancuso acknowledged his wife, Gillian, and kids for their support leading up to the election.

He said past experience in the courtroom has prepared him for his new role.

“I was really fortunate over the course of my career in private practice to appear before many outstanding judges, and so I was able to learn a lot about civil and criminal procedure and what it takes to be an excellent jurist and how a courtroom ought to be managed and run,” he said. “That was excellent training and preparation.”