Randich Wins Reelection as Probate Judge

By Mark DiPaola

It's a black tie, with a chalk-like drawing of a donkey, between the words, “I like Jack”. “Jack”, as in, John F. Kennedy – the tie is a 60's-era JFK campaign relic gifted to Robert Randich by the late Ray Newton, a former Newington principal and old friend. “I only wear it when I'm on the ballot,” Randich says with a laugh. It's around 10 a.m. on Election Day, and Randich is looking lawyer-like as he stands with supporters outside West Hill School in Rocky Hill; he's rocking a navy blue suit and, of course, his sign – “Robert Randich for Probate Judge”.

He's spent the past several months just informing voters of the fact that, yes, probate judge is on the ballot alongside state legislative and congressional seats, as well as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's Office.

“On November 8, your first 10 votes are gonna be to save democracy. Then you're gonna vote to save the probate court!” Randich joked to supporters at a late campaign season Democratic rally in Newington.

But the probate races aren't known for being too political, and throughout most of his 16-year tenure, he hasn't had to treat it that way.

He's only run against an opponent two times – when he was first elected in 2006, and in 2010 against Wethersfield GOP Town Committee Chair Rich Roberts. The race was uncontested in 2014 and 2018. But this year, Newington Town Attorney Ben Ancona – his 2006 opponent – wanted a rematch. The two Newington residents would vie for the 7th Probate District seat that serves Rocky Hill, Newington, and Wethersfield.

“I haven't had a competitive race in years,” Randich noted outside West Hill on Tuesday. “I feel confident, but we'll let the people decide.”

The two campaigns, for the most part, kept the race focused on their respective resumes.

Ancona, a Cooley Law School product who's run his own business for 27 years, has flexed his experience handling probate matters as an attorney – but said it was his experiences adopting his daughter and handling the aftermath of his father's passing that inspired him to seek the judge's gavel again.

“This is personal to me,” Ancona said while announcing his run this past summer, in a packed room of supporters. “Compassion, I think, is the first and foremost thing. Every person that walks into that court should be greeted with a smile, because for the most part, you're not walking in there for a good reason.”

Randich supporters credited the incumbent for providing both compassion and a steady hand while navigating weighty and contentious probate matters.

Randich's professional career began in 1983, with his graduation from UConn Law School. The former Newington mayor and town councilor worked as an attorney for several different law firms – Schatz & Schatz, Ribicoff & Kotkin, Cohen, Wakim & Merlin, P.C, Shipman, Stokesbury & Fingold, LLC, and Shipman, and Shaiken & Schwefel, LLC – before retiring recently.

As a probate judge, he's served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Probate Judge Assembly – he joined the Committee in 2013 and has been its Treasurer since 2021 – as well as continuing education seminar panels for fellow members of the probate judiciary.

“It's been the highlight of my career,” Randich told The Rare Reminder in an interview this fall. “I'm able to help families in distress. Grieving families. Children that need guardianship,” he says. “I can sit down with people who disagree with one another and help them figure out how to proceed.”

His proposition to voters was to let him continue, and on Election Day, they delivered – Randich secured his fifth term, capturing 17,152 votes to Ancona's 14,319, according to the CT Secretary of State.

“I'm just very humbled by the amount of support I got,” Randich said. “It was very gratifying.”

Ancona thanked family members and supporters in a November 10 Facebook campaign page post.

“Despite losing, it was a great experience and I'd like to thank my lovely wife, Jennifer Ancona, my dear sister and treasurer, Jane Rivera, David J. Lenares, who is like a brother who hosted a hugely successful fundraiser, Domenic Pane, who is the backbone ofthe Republican party, Mayor Beth DelBuonofor her continued support and of course ourcouncilors, each of my kids, especially BenAncona III for doing sign duty and everysingle loyal donor,” Ancona wrote. “Without my voters, however, I would have nevergotten as close as I did, and my gratitude isendless. May God bless and keep the greatest town, in the greatest state, in the greatest country to have ever graced the face of mother earth.”

As appeared in The Rare Reminder, November 23, 2022.

Randich Seeking Fifth Term as Probate Court Judge

A veteran probate judge is making his case for a fifth term serving Newington's Probate District. Democratic incumbent Robert Randich, a retired attorney, was first elected to the District that encompasses Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield in 2006. Now, he's citing his probate judgeship experience as he gears up for a rematch of his inaugural race – Randich is being challenged once again by GOP candidate and Newington Town Attorney Ben Ancona. “I have the ability to serve, and I'd like to keep doing it,” Randich said. “It's been the highlight of my professional career, and I believe that after 16 years of being a judge and hearing just about every issue, I have the best set of experience.” Randich's professional career began in 1983, with his graduation from UConn Law School. Since then, he's worked as an attorney for several different law firms – Schatz & Schatz, Ribicoff & Kotkin, Cohen, Wakim & Merlin, P.C, Shipman, Stokesbury & Fingold, LLC, and Shipman, and Shaiken & Schwefel, LLC. As a probate judge, he's served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Probate Judge Assembly – he joined the Committee in 2013 and has been its Treasurer since 2021 – as well as continuing education seminar panels for fellow members of the probate judiciary. In court, a probate judge will handle a myriad of family issues – such as wills, estates, conservatorships, and adoptions. Randich acknowledged that some people won't be familiar with probate court functions until they need to – and that perhaps an even larger number don't know that it's a position up for election every four years. “It's a weird place to be, because it's really an apolitical position,” he says. “We're not making policy – it's more like hiring somebody to do a job. Experience should play a large role in that.” Not that Randich is a stranger to the political process – he's served on Newington's Town Council and as the town's mayor. “There just couldn't be a better guy to do this, and I think his time on the court has proven that,” said Newington Democratic Town Committee (NDTC) member Sandy Nafis, who served as Randich's Deputy Mayor during her own Council tenure. “He's even. He weighs everything. He's an incredible critical thinker. He's a big picture guy that sees it all. I know those qualities have just transcended to where he is now. We're very, very fortunate to have him up there.” Randich says his penchant for problemsolving is what first drew him to the legal profession – but that the probate judgeship allowed him to apply that to what he considers a public service. “I'm able to help families in distress. Grieving families. Children that need guardianship,” he says. “I can sit down with people who disagree with one another and help them figure out how to proceed.” Former Democratic State Senator Paul Doyle is an attorney who has represented clients in Randich's court – he commended the judge for what he described as a steady hand in some of the most emotionallycharged disputes. “I've seen him in action, and he's an excellent judge because he's very serious and conscientious, but he's also very down to earth in the court room,” Doyle said. “He handles all litigants with respect and compassion.”

As appeared in The Rare Reminder, September 29, 2022.