SDWNY: Erie County Family Court Endorsement Questionnaire: Paul Crapsi (2013)

7/30/2019 SDWNY: Erie County Family Court Endorsement Questionnaire: Paul Crapsi (2013)

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STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New YorkPO Box 85 7, Buffalo, NY 14205 Website: www.sdwny.org

2013 ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE- ERIE COUNTY FAMILY COURTN a m e : _ \ ~ _ 0 \ _ v _ \__ _r_u..._. . _ r _ s _ ~___________

c ~ ~ ~ A M r e ~ : _ ? _ o _ _ _ v _ ~___ ~ - ~ - ' ~ ~ - B ~ J _ f _ ~ _ l u _ ~ ~ - Y_ _Y _ L _ I ~(Email:__,_:_f\.:...:..f-v _ , @ , _ C - ' ~ - ~ - f i - - I A - J _ \ _ c } _ c _ ~ l - ' ( 2 > ' - ' . , ' - - ' - - , --


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Paul V. Crapsi For Family CourtPO Box 1381, Buffalo, NY 14213 (c) 716.352.8219Stonewall Democrats of WNYPO Box 857Buffalo, NY 14205May21,20132013 Endorsement Questionnaire for Erie County Family Court

1. Why are you running for a judicial position, and what qualifies you for theposition?I am running for Erie County Family Court because I believe that Family Courtis the most important court in the judicial system. It is the most important courtbecause every case involves a child. In every case, a judge will be presentedwith a certain set of facts and limitations, and will have to decide what, in thisparticular set of circumstances, is in the best interest of the child involved.I am proud of my qualifications for this position. First and foremost,personally, I am a family man, married, with four children. I understand theimportance of raising children, and also understand the hardships andsacrifices involved. I believe that this life experience is essential in order tomake sophisticated and difficult decisions about someone else's children.Professionally, I have been in the legal field for approximately 20 years. Ihave practiced law in almost all of the courts, and have developed areputation as a zealous advocate. As an attorney I have handled numerouscases of distinction or first impression, and my cases have been covered bythe Buffalo News, the Buffalo Law Journal, and the New York Times. For thelast 5 years, I have been an administrative law judge, deciding vehicle andtraffic cases. In that capacity I decide over 1000 cases a year, and believe Ihave developed a professional reputation as a just, fair, and firm decisionmaker.2. Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats ofWNY?I am seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY because Ibelieve that Family Court is important for everyone in our community, and thatth,e definition of family should not be limited to traditional definitions. Allmembers of our community are entitled to equal protection under the law, andthat includes Family Court proceedings. I am proud of the professional work Ihave done for equal rights, and would be honored and proud to receive theendorsement of Stonewall Democrats. Additionally, Stonewall members are


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- '-' '-- u v u v ~ , v :; :; vu, vVIIvCIIICU I I IC I I IUCJ ; : , V I ;align with progressive, positive agendas.3. Do you believe that bias affects our justice system, particularly in areassuch as domestic violence and custody/visitation issues involving LGBTQindividuals? If so, how do you propose to eliminate this?

I believe that bias affects all aspects of our society, including our justice system,in issues involving LGBTQ individuals. Although we have made significantprogress, there is still much to be done. I propose to eliminate LGBTQ bias in thefollowing way: I propose establishing a LGBTQ advisory panel to meet on aregular basis for the purposes of advising and counseling on issues involvingLGBTQ community and family issues. This would allow LGBTQ communitymembers to advise sitting judges on issues which may be of ongoing concern.This could start as an informal, conversational type meeting, and we couldextend the invitation to other judges once we got going.

No.

4. Do any of the organizations, association or clubs to which you belongprohibit or limit membership on the basis of race, color, religion, sexualorientation, gender, disability, national origin or gender identity andexpression?

5. What is your experience with the LGBTQ community both generally andprofessionally? As an attorney, have you ever represented clients involvedwith LGBT issues?I have both general and professional experience with the LGBTQ community. Asan attorney, I have represented numerous clients with LGBT issues. My mostfamous case regarding LGBT issues was the Humig v. Department ofCorrections case which was covered by the New York Times. That was the firstcase in New York State where sexual orientation discrimination was the basis forthe lawsuit on a discrimination matter. My client alleged that she wasdiscriminated against because of her sexual orientation. At the time, sexualorientation was a new protected class, but had yet to be tested in the courts. Mycase was the first case in the state to be litigated on that basis. Not only did Isucceed with our lawsuit, my verdict was the highest verdict ever awarded by theDivision of Human Rights, $850,000. That award was later reduced on appeal,and higher verdicts have since been rendered, but I was proud of ouraccomplishments on that case.

6. Will you work to insure that gender identity and expression or sexualorientation is not a consideration in your staff hiring decisions?


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~ ~ ...... ............. . . . .1 a ,.., c; - c;;:.;:,u u : :: , :xua u r 1 e r n a ~ : ~ o nconsideration in my staff hiring decisions. Yes, I will work to insure that remainsthe case.7. What kind of support would you like to have from the LGBTQ community ifyou win your primary?

I would be honored to have whatever large or small support is available. Somepossible ideas are handlers to walk me door to door to LGBTQ households andto forage introductions, handlers for LGBTQ events to meet attendees, and anyother support your organization would deem appropriate.8. Stonewall Democrats of Western New York strongly believes thatcandidates have a responsibility to provide voters with a truthful, fair andclean campaigns for public office and to conduct her or himself in a

manner conducive to a civil, issue-orientated debate with their fellowcandidates. Would you be willing to sign a written pledge to conduct yourcampaign accordingly?Yes, I would be willing to sign a written pledge to conduct my campaign inaccordance with your specifications as outlined above.9. If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list theendorsement on all applicable campaign literature (i.e.: all literature listing

any other organizational endorsements)?I would be honored to have Stonewall Democrats of WNY endorsement, andwould proudly display that endorsement on my website and any other campaignliterature listing endorsements.

1O.lf endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a LGBTQcommunity forum to introduce endorsed candidates held prior to theprimary election?

I would be honored to attend a LGBTQ community forum.11. Would you knowingly seek endorsement of or advertise on any

homophobic/transphobic media?No, I would not seek endorsement of or advertise on anyhomophobic/transphobic media.


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literature (i.e.: all literature listing any other organizational endorsements)?10.) I f endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats ofWNY, will you attend a LGBTQ o m m u n i ~ forum tointroduce endorsed candidates held prior to t h ( ~ primary election?

ll.)Would you knowingly seck endorsemeot 'r f or advertise on any homopbobic/transpbobic media?Yes G

I attest that this questionnaire represents my opinion of the issues on this questionnaire:

Candidate's Signature:____ ~ (JVVY\ l- - - - - - - - --- --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Date: 5 -2.,1.-- \ ~Please complete the attached issues surveys, sign below and return questionnaire, surveys and your resume by Friday,May 24.2013 by either by email to e l ' d n r s e m e n t s r ! ! : ~ ; d w _ J U ' . . O n ! , faxed to (716) 853-2448 (Attention: BryanBall, Stonewall Democrats of\VNY) or mailed to:

Attention: Endorsernent Conunittcc~ t . o n e w a H Den1ocrat:-c ()f \VNYPO Box :\57

Hdffalo, ~ Y 142G5

Stonewall Democrats WNY- Erie County Family Court. 2013, page 4

SDWNY: Erie County Family Court Endorsement Questionnaire: Paul Crapsi (2013)

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