The New York Bar Association decided Thursday not to approve the candidacy of Republican Ron Castorina for Staten Island surrogate judge.

The decision means the association believes Castorina, a state Assemblyman, has not demonstrated the qualifications necessary for the position, although the association did not explain why.

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When asked this week about the pending decision, Castorina said Staten Islanders already know what he brings to the table. 

"Look, every endorsement matters to some group. There's no question about it. I'm of the opinion that for some candidates, it may matter more than others," Castorina said in a phone interview. "For me, I think the public knows me first and foremost as a lawyer, and not a legislator. So I've already been vetted by the public."

Castorina's Democratic opponent, Matt Titone, did receive Bar approval.

The association conducts a prescreening of all the candidates for court positions prior to the general election.