District Judge Primaries Split by Incumbent and Challenger

In two three-way primaries for Fourth District Court Judge in Smithtown, Janine Barbera-Dalli won a race on Thursday to gain the Conservative Party ticket line, while incumbent Judge Richard Horowitz earned the Independence ticket, according to preliminary results reported by the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Horowitz is seeking re-election and is also running on the Democratic ticket in November, attempting to hold onto the seat he first earned in 2006. Prior to that, he worked for the Legal Aid Society of New York for 19 years.

Barbera-Dalli has been endorsed by the Republican Party, according to her website, and has resided in Smithtown for 24 years. She founded her own firm, Barbera & McElhone, P.C., in 1996.

According to preliminary primary ballot counts, Barbera-Dalli holds a 24-vote lead with all election districts reporting after Thursday's vote. Reports show she bested Richard Dunne by a tally of 332 to 308, with Horowitz gaining 120 Conservative votes.

In the primary for the Independence line, Horowitz earned 109 votes to Barbera-Dalli's 89, with Dunne finishing third with 79 votes.

Election results are not final until certified by the Board of Elections. Absentee and provisional ballots may still need to be counted.