Little Falls, NY – In the next episode of the Small Town Life Podcast, hosted by Dave Warner, Judge Candace Randall opened up about her unique path to the bench, her experiences in law school, and the rigors of campaigning for Supreme Court in New York’s 5th Judicial District.

The interview, part of the Studio 25 Podcast Network, offers listeners an intimate look at the life of a dedicated public servant who’s balancing family, a legal practice, and a multi-county election bid.

Randall, a town judge in Jefferson County and a candidate for the higher court, recounted her early life as the daughter of military parents. Born in Walla Walla, Washington – a name that always reminds her of a Bugs Bunny cartoon – she spent her childhood moving around, including stints in Germany and Potsdam, NY.

“My dad was military. My mom and dad are both from Jefferson County,” Randall shared. “Spent several of my early years kind of moving around because that’s just the way the military is.”

Her passion for law was ignited when she was young. In fourth grade, a mock trial defending Jack from “Jack and the Beanstalk” on murder charges hooked her. “I defended Jack to see if he actually murdered the giant,” she recalled with a laugh. “And I loved it.”

Initially dreaming of the presidency or Supreme Court, she pursued a bachelor’s in business and technology management at Clarkson University, where her father taught ROTC, before heading to law school at Texas Southern University in Houston.

The cultural shift to Texas was eye-opening for the upstate New Yorker. “I learned I talked too fast. I expected things to be done faster than they should be,” Randall said, sharing a humorous anecdote about hearing “I’m fixin’ to” for the first time and asking, “Is it broken?”

Law school itself was grueling: “You have to basically relearn how to take a test… If you can’t really think outside the box, it is extremely hard.”

Warner delved into Randall’s campaign challenges, covering six counties: Herkimer, Oneida, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, and Oswego. “It’s ginormous,” she said of the district.

As a sitting judge, she navigates strict rules on political activity while maintaining her duties. “I’m not going to shirk my duties as a town judge… That’s not fair,” Randall emphasized.

With four kids in soccer and plays, her schedule is packed: “My husband tells people we’re just white knuckling it from now until the end of the election.”

The conversation also touched on broader issues, like declining interest in judicial races and a pending bill to redraw judicial districts, which could extend travel demands for judges.

Randall stressed the importance of connecting with voters: “If you’re going to be a judge for the people, you need to know the people.”

This episode provides a refreshing, personal perspective on local politics and perseverance, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in community leaders or the judicial system.

For more details on Randall’s campaign, visit electjudgerandall.com.

Catch the full interview on YouTube by searching “Small Town Life Podcast,” watch it below, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Don’t miss this inspiring chat – tune in today!