With local primary elections approaching, The Evening Sun met with both Republican candidates in the run for Norwich City Court Judge––an elected position held for the last 17 years by the Hon. James Downey, who is retiring at the end of this year. The 10-year term pays a salary of $108,800. What follows are the two candidates' stories, and why they see themselves as fit to sit as the next city court judge. Primary elections are slated for next Tuesday, September 12.

Mike Genute is an Assistant District Attorney running for Norwich City Court Judge.

“I can confidently say that I regularly handle more criminal matters in one month than either of my opponents have in the last 10 years––and that is not even referencing vehicle and traffic and minor criminal violations,” said Genute.

A native of northern New Jersey, Genute earned his degree in law at Quinnipiac University in 1996.

He worked as a county superior judge's law clerk before moving to Norwich in 2001 with his wife, Elaine.