Author: manhattandems

The Manhattan Democratic Party is outraged by the murder of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, by a masked Border Patrol officer. This killing comes less than 3 weeks after the horrific murder of another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, by a masked ICE agent, and also follows violent assaults on people in several other cities. These federal agents are operating as Trump’s own personal paramilitary force, occupying American cities and committing violence against American citizens. Their very presence in our cities represents a dangerous escalation of federal authority that should alarm every person who values the rule of law.

The Manhattan Democratic Party stands with our fellow Americans in Minneapolis and elsewhere who are protecting their neighbors, standing up for democratic values, and bearing witness to ICE’s illegal actions. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all ICE agents from Minnesota and every other state in which they’re currently operating. We also demand that Democrats in the Senate, including Senate Minority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand, vote no on any government spending bill that includes funding for ICE.

Over the past several months, we have witnessed incredible displays of bravery and sacrifice from average citizens throughout our nation. Our elected leaders must honor that bravery and sacrifice by using every tool at their disposal to end Trump’s unconstitutional assault on the American people.

The New York County Democratic Committee previously announced the formation of an Independent Judicial Screening Panel. As an update, the screening panel for 2026, administered by John Halebian, Esq., consists of:

Michael D. Stutman | American Academy Matrimonial Lawyers
Harut Minasian | Armenian Bar Association
James Rellis | Brehon Law Society
Mark H. Moore | City Club New York
Dannelly Rodriguez | Dominican Bar Association
Daniel Connors Evans | Goddard Riverside Community Center
Simon Malinowski| Jewish Lawyers Guild
Maria Park | Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
Drake Reed | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL)
Sabrina Smith | Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Kasara Davidson | Mid Manhattan Branch of the NAACP
Salman Ravala | Muslim Bar Association of New York
Justin White | New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Nicole Trivlis | New York Women’s Bar Association
Kim Conroy | Puerto Rican Bar Association
Helina Manesis | Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus

In order to select a Democratic Nominee for the Special Election to be held on February 3 2026, the Manhattan Democratic Party convened meetings of the membership of the 47th Senate District Committee.

The Manhattan Democratic Party is proud to support the selection by the 47th Senate District Committee of Erik Bottcher as their Democratic Nominee for the New York State Senate. After being duly nominated, Councilman Erik Bottcher was unanimously elected by the over 130 County Committee Members present. We congratulate State Senate Democratic Nominee Erik Bottcher and thank each County Committee Member, District Leader, and member of the public who engaged in this process.

The New York County Democratic Committee has announced the formation of an Independent Screening Panel to report on the qualifications of candidates seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for: Civil Court Countywide (one vacancy); Fourth Municipal Court District (one vacancy); Seventh Municipal Court District (one vacancy); one (1) incumbent running for re-election to Surrogate Court; and, three (3) incumbents running for re-election to Civil Court which will be filled in the November 2026 general election. The heads of numerous bar associations, community organizations and law schools have been invited to nominate members of the panel, which will be directed to report a total of no more than the three (3) most highly qualified candidates per vacancy. This year’s Civil Court panel is being administered by John Halebian, Esq.

Candidates for the nomination may obtain applications from Johanna Garcia, Executive Director for the Manhattan Democratic Party, via email at manhattandems@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting completed applications is Monday, January 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

As per the resignation of Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a vacancy exists in the office of Member of the Senate of the State of New York from the forty-seventh Senate District in New York County.

In order to select a Democratic Nominee for the Special Election to be held in February 2026, the Manhattan Democratic Party will hold nominating meetings of the 47th Senate District Committee on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 9:00pm for District Leaders and on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 5:00pm for County Committee Members. All interested candidates are invited to participate.

For additional details: https://manhattandemocrats.org/sd47-2026/
Contact: manhattandems@gmail.com

In order to select a Democratic Nominee for the Special Election to be held in February 2026, the 74th Assembly District Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in the East Village. Despite the cold and rain, members packed the hall of The Sirovich Center with a 77% turnout rate.

The Manhattan Democratic Party is proud to support the selection by the 74th Assembly District Committee of Keith Powers as their Democratic Nominee for the New York State Assembly. After one round of voting by the 168 County Committee Members present, Councilman Keith Powers achieved 61% of the vote. We congratulate State Assembly Democratic Nominee Keith Powers and thank each County Committee Member, District Leader, member of the public who engaged in this process, and especially the nominated candidates — honorable public servants from their community who included: Sarah Batchu, District Leader Marquis Jenkins, and Kevin O’Keefe.

The Manhattan Democratic Party is deeply saddened by the passing of Charles Bayor, a committed public servant whose presence in Chelsea and in our Democratic community was felt for decades.

Charles brought principle and purpose to everything he touched. As a District Leader and longtime member of the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, he helped anchor one of Manhattan’s most civically engaged neighborhoods. He believed in a Democratic Party that listens, organizes, and delivers for everyday New Yorkers– and he showed up consistently to make that vision real.

A lifelong educator and member of the United Federation of Teachers, Charles dedicated his career to New York City’s public school students. He understood that strong communities begin in strong classrooms, and he never wavered in his advocacy for fairness, access, and opportunity.

Charles was also a steadfast voice for LGBTQ rights and equality. Through his involvement with Stonewall Democratic Club and other advocacy spaces, he worked to advance protections and dignity for LGBTQ New Yorkers long before those fights were politically easy. His leadership helped move our city toward greater inclusion and understanding.

Those who knew Charles remember not just his activism, but his kindness– his steady presence, his loyalty, and his belief that civic life is, at its core, about caring for one another.

On behalf of the Manhattan Democratic Party, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Charles’ family, friends, and the many colleagues and neighbors who will feel this loss. His contributions will continue to shape our borough, and his commitment to justice and community will remain part of our shared legacy.

Keith L.T. Wright
County Leader, Manhattan Democratic Party

As per the resignation of Harvey Epstein, a vacancy exists in the office of the Member of the Assembly of the State of New York from the seventy-fourth Assembly District in New York County.

In order to select a Democratic Nominee for the Special Election to be held in February 2026, the Manhattan Democratic Party will hold a nominating meeting of the 74th Assembly District Committee on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 7:00pm. All interested candidates are invited to participate.

For additional details: https://manhattandemocrats.org/ad74-2025/
Contact: manhattandems@gmail.com

“Every New Yorker should be deeply disturbed by President Donald Trump’s strong-arming of the Justice Department to attack our New York Attorney General Letitia James on trumped-up charges,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright. “Tish James has served the people of New York with integrity, professionalism, and courage. Her office’s work confronting corporate fraud, defending tenants and consumers, and holding powerful actors accountable, embodies the equal-justice principles that define our state. Attacks on her are attacks on those principles. They are designed to intimidate public servants who dare to enforce the law without fear or favor. The firing of US Attorneys who concluded that there was no case to be brought is a direct assault on our nation’s rule of law. The Manhattan Democratic Party stands behind Tish now and in defense of our country’s strong norms of prosecutorial independence, and we urge all Americans, regardless of party, to oppose Trump’s authoritarian attempts to persecute his opponents.”

On Monday, September 29th, the Manhattan Democratic Party held the 2025 County Committee Organizing Meeting in order to elect the Officers of the New York County Committee, fill County Committee vacancies, and advance important changes to Party Rules.

The meeting, which took place at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, opened with remarks by members of the Manhattan Young Democrats, Councilman Yusef Salaam, County Leader Keith L.T. Wright, and several elected officials from across the borough, including Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymembers Linda Rosenthal, Alex Bores, Tony Simone, and Jordan J.G. Wright, and Councilmembers Christopher Marte and Erik Bottcher.

After a series of nominations and votes, the duly-elected and appointed Members of the New York County Committee voted to fill hundreds of vacancies across the borough, and elected the following individuals to serve on County Committee leadership:

• Chair of the County Committee | Kyle H. Ishmael
• 1st Vice Chair | Mariama James
• 2nd Vice Chair | John Wahlmeier
• 3rd Vice Chair | Johanna Garcia
• Secretary | Barry Weinberg
• Treasurer | Charlette Mimiasie
• Vice Treasurer | Paula Diamond Román
• Sergeant-at-Arms | Councilwoman Diana Ayala

“It’s the responsibility of this County Committee to bring the grassroots Democratic members of this borough together — to empower our communities, organize in our communities, and to make sure that we’re spreading the message of the Democratic Party throughout Manhattan,” said newly elected Chairman Kyle H. Ishmael. “It’s a really exciting time but it’s a really troubling time, and I think we have a great opportunity to set a good example for Democrats around the country of what it looks like to organize, what it looks like to protect our blue seawall here in Manhattan, and what it means to be a good Democratic friend to districts around the city, around the state, and around the country who could really use our help. And with your support, that’s what I look forward to doing as Chairman of the Manhattan Democratic Party.”