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Niagara County Judge candidate Michael E. Benedict picked up a key endorsement of his judicial bid this morning as the City of Lockport’s mayor added her voice to those backing the local attorney.

“I’m supporting Mike Benedict for county judge because he’s the most qualified candidate,” Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman said. “Mike Benedict has the experience as a deputy corporation counsel, as the law clerk to the judge he’s looking to succeed, as a former public defender, and as a former prosecutor. But that’s not the only reason I support his candidacy.”

Roman said one word had come to define Benedict, and had been the deciding factor in her endorsement: character.

“Mike Benedict has the character necessary to do what’s right by the law and in the best interest of our community as Niagara County Judge,” Roman said. “Mike Benedict deserves our trust because not only does he have the right background for this important job, but I also know him to be incredibly honest. We need Mike Benedict in the judiciary.”

The news comes as Benedict‘s campaign is gaining momentum in recent days, picking up the endorsements of the Democratic Party Feb. 20 and the Working Families Party over the weekend.

Roman, who was reelected in a landslide last November, noted Benedict had previously served as deputy corporation counsel for the City of Lockport. Benedict lives in the city with his wife, Laura Miskell Benedict, and their two children.

“Mike Benedict’s reputation was that he listened to city employees, to department heads, to elected leaders, and compassionately applied the law while protecting Lockport’s interests,” Roman said. “We need people with Mike Benedict’s character on the bench.”

Roman, who is the only woman serving as a city mayor in the eight counties of Western New York, praised Benedict for “his respect for every individual’s dignity.”

“Mike Benedict is an accomplished lawyer, but he never makes anyone feel like they’re not the most important person on his schedule that day,” Roman said. “I’ll proudly vote for Mike because Mike makes Lockport proud.”