After losing his post to a consolidation of several state probate districts that saw Ridgefield Republican and colleague Joseph Egan winning the newly created seat heading the Northern Fairfield County Probate Court, former Bethel probate judge Daniel O'Grady is ready to put his 20 years of probate experience and continuing education back to work on the bench.The Experience QuestionThe Bee ahead of the August 9 Republican primary.Looking Toward The FutureLearn more about Mr O'Grady by visiting electogradyjudge.com, or on his candidate's Facebook page.Learn more about Mr Walsh at electwalshprobatejudge.com, or on his Facebook page.

At the same time, Ridgefield attorney Patrick Walsh believes he is the right GOP candidate to hold onto the seat, acknowledging that while he has appeared in front of dozens of Connecticut probate judges, he has never served in that capacity.

Current Probate Judge Egan is leaving office in late October when he reaches the mandated retirement cap age of 70. That leaves an open seat for the court, which serves approximately 80,000 persons in Newtown, Ridgefield, Redding, and Bethel.

Mr O'Grady, who is currently serving as Bethel's town treasurer, and Mr Walsh are facing off for the opportunity to challenge a sole Democratic nominee, Ridgefield Attorney Sharon Dornfeld, for the regional seat on November 8.

Mr O'Grady, who has continued working countless probate cases through his own legal practice, believes if he is successful in both the upcoming GOP primary and the general election this November, he can hit the ground running with no down time to learn the ropes.

"As a judge in Bethel, I was also called to cover vacations and other absences for Probate Courts in Danbury, Newtown, Brookfield, and New Milford," Mr O'Grady said in a recent interview. "So if I'm elected I can step right in and get to work with no learning curve the morning after Election Day."

Mr Walsh countered that his work on cases in the state probate arena has provided him with plenty of on-the-job training.

"Before Joe Egan was a probate judge, he wasn't, and before Dan O'Grady was a probate judge, he wasn't. It's not a requirement or qualification to be a probate judge. I've got 23 years working in every facet of the probate system," Mr Walsh told

Mr O'Grady said he recently picked up endorsements from former governor Jodi Rell, current Newtown and Sandy Hook State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, former Redding state representative and first selectman Hank Bielawa, and current Bethel Selectman Paul Szatkowski.

In a mid-July endorsement, Ms Rell stated, "I have had the privilege of knowing Dan O'Grady for over 25 years. His integrity and honesty are qualities I admire and respect. He has the experience, knowledge and compassion necessary to be the next Northern Fairfield County Probate Court Judge."

Mr Walsh is confident he can step into the seat based on his hundreds of probate appearances across the state and factoring the practical local government knowledge he has gained serving Ridgefield for the last 15 years, three on the Zoning Board of Appeals and 12 years as a Planning and Zoning commissioner.

"I have extensive experience managing probate matters and representing individuals in various capacities including conserved individuals, conservators, name change applicants, guardian proceedings, parental termination proceedings, and fiduciaries," Mr Walsh said, adding that he is particularly sensitive to the individuals who must come before the probate court.

"People come to the Probate Court during the most difficult of times," he said. "The real test of a judge is how to balance the law and compassion for the people who come before the court. Compassion for the people who have lost loved ones, brothers, sisters, parents, and children; compassion for the infirm who desperately need and deserve the protection of the court; and compassion for those who cannot care for themselves is the cornerstone of my commitment."

Mr O'Grady also offers probate voters significant experience in municipal matters serving as Bethel's town counsel, assistant town counsel, as an Inland Wetland commissioner, and on the town's Zoning Board of Appeals. He has also been called to serve as a special public defender, and Connecticut state magistrate.

Mr O'Grady is already looking toward the future with hopes of back-to-back probate election victories, stating that one of the things he will do if taking on the regional probate seat is bring a heightened awareness of the court, its functions, and responsibilities to constituents across Northern Fairfield County.

If he is ultimately successful next week and in November, Mr Walsh has pledged to "diligently protect the rights of those who cannot protect themselves, and ensure fairness for all those who come before the court," and to "efficiently handle the court docket and the probate process on each and every application and request, serving the people to reduce not only expense, but also time."

All Newtown polling places will be open August 9 from 6 am to 8 pm, for qualified Republicans to cast ballots in this single-race primary.

In addition, absentee ballots for that primary are available through 4:30 pm Monday, August 8, at the Newtown Town Clerk's Office in Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street. Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead is also planning a special Saturday absentee voting session, from 9 am to noon, on Saturday, August 6.

Republican voters in Newtown Districts 1 and 1-5 can cast probate primary ballots next Tuesday at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street; Districts 2 and 3-2 primary voting happens at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane; and Districts 3 and 3-5 primary voters must report to Head O' Meadow School, 94 Boggs Hill Road.