Dan Hust | Democrat SULLIVAN COUNTY DISTRICT Attorney candidate Mike McGuire, center, was joined Friday evening by his family: from the left, sons Will and Kevin, wife Corinne and son Carl.

McGuire joins race

By Dan Hust
LIBERTY — Former Assistant District Attorney Mike McGuire officially unveiled his campaign Friday to become Sullivan County’s next district attorney.
Though retiring DA Steve Lungen lent his endorsement to Chief Assistant DA Jim Farrell, McGuire packed close to 200 supporters into his announcement party Friday evening at the Route 52 Steakhouse in Liberty.
McGuire, a Republican, will likely have to face off against Farrell, also a Republican, in a primary later this year, with the winner facing Democratic candidate Glenn Kroll in November.
Sullivan County Republican Committee Chair John LiGreci, who was in attendance, complimented McGuire for his charisma and attracting an enormous crowd.
LiGreci said the local Republican convention on April 16 will give “a clear direction” to both McGuire and Farrell as to who Republicans favor. He’s confident one of the two will step away from the race at that time rather than force a primary.
“It’s unfortunate that in this one race we have two great candidates,” he said.
Friday’s strong showing, however, indicated this is a battle McGuire intends to win.
“During my time with the district attorney’s office, I had the pleasure and good fortune to handle untold numbers of cases for the people of this county,” he recounted.
“I conducted trials in 11 different towns, handling felonies, misdemeanors and other offenses. I worked very closely with the State Police as well as our Sheriff’s Office and local agencies. I handled appeals in both state and federal courts, and when the district attorney needed assistance with a very complex homicide case and he had all of his troops available, he turned to me.
“I have worked on literally every type of case imaginable, from traffic infractions to homicides. And I have for the past several years been called upon to instruct our local judges in various areas of criminal law and procedure.”
McGuire was introduced to the cheering crowd by former Sullivan County Community College Dean of Students Frank Conneely, with whom McGuire served for seven years as director of athletics.
“He impressed us with his dynamic personality, his attention to detail, and his enthusiasm,” Conneely related. “... In addition to his outstanding organizational and administrative abilities, he left a legacy marked by a three-time national championship basketball program.”
McGuire left SCCC in 1997 to pursue a law degree, graduating magna cum laude from Pace University in 2001 – and already nearly 20 years in possession of a master of arts from the University of Northern Iowa, where he had graduated summa cum laude.
McGuire joined the district attorney’s office after gaining his juris doctorate, then turned to private practice, setting up shop in Ferndale and racking up experience in criminal, family and civil litigation at the village, town, county, state and federal court levels, including as counsel to the New York State Police.
He’s been a member of the Law Guardian Panel, the Judicial Training Institute, the Liberty Central School Board, the Congress of Racial Equality Board and the Liberty Elks Club.
“Mike’s compelling sense of integrity, his impeccable character, his work ethic and his desire to do what is right and just for those involved has remained with him in his legal career,” Conneely concluded. “... The citizens of Sullivan County would be indeed fortunate to have Michael McGuire as their district attorney.”
Glancing at his wife Corinne and his three sons, McGuire said, “I am running for district attorney because I have seen all parts of this community. Corinne and I have lived here and raised our family here, and I know that as times change we must be ready to meet the challenges ahead.
“I have cherished my work with law enforcement, not only during my time with the district attorney’s office but even today ... and I look forward to joining with them to make Sullivan County the type of community where young people want to stay, where all people feel safe and families can thrive.”