Family, friends, and mentors filled the Schoharie County Courthouse Friday to watch history being made:
The swearing in of Ryan McAllister as Schoharie County Judge, Surrogate and Family Court Judge.
Now-Judge McAllister was elected in November; he replaces George Bartlett, who was first elected in 1996.
Judge Bartlett’s predecessor, Judge Dan Lamont, was one of those in the crowd, seated with a dozen judges from local and state courts.
Master of Ceremonies was Gerald Connolly, Administrative Judge, NYS State Judicial District, a longtime friend and former Albany co-worker for Judge McAllister.
“I learned a lot about Ryan in the years we worked together,” Judge Connolly said. “About his faith, his family, his county, his integrity…You have chosen a very worthy successor to Judge Bartlett.”
Assemblyman Chris Tague, on hand to introduce elected officials and dignitaries, including former Congressman John Faso—who Judge McAllister worked for—and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, echoed those sentiments.
“I’m humbled to be part of this today,” he said.
And to Judge McAllister: “You’re going to do great things.”
“One of the greatest pleasures of my life was representing Schoharie County, this place that Ryan comes from,” said former Congressman Faso.
“He will fairly decide the cases before him. The people of Schoharie County chose well.”
Before swearing in Judge McAllister, another of his mentors, Judge Richard Wesley of the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, shared fond memories of the years they worked together, beginning in 2002.
“I was impressed with his credentials, and more, than man he has become,” Judge Wesley said.
“This is a significant step for Ryan and he knows it.”
With his parents, Leo and Marie, sisters and brothers and in-laws and their extended families in the audience, Judge McAllister thanked them, and his own family, his wife, Debra, and children Thomas, Margaret, Padraic, and Leo, for their support.
“A day like this doesn’t come without a lot of help,” he said, adding, “A good judge understands the vital but limited role in our judiciary. We are a nation of laws. Not of men.”

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