Author: manhattandems

On Monday, August 10th, the Democratic Judicial Delegates of the 1st Judicial District convened for the Manhattan Democratic Party’s 2026 Supreme Court Judicial Convention held at SVA Theatre.

Upon consideration of over seventeen diverse, highly-qualified candidates who have been reported out of independent judicial screening panels, the Judicial Delegates elected to re-nominate three incumbent Justices and send three new Justices to the bench once our nominees are successful in the General Election. After several rounds of voting, the following candidates were selected as the Democratic Nominees for Supreme Court in the 1st Judicial District for the election to be held on November 3, 2026:

Hon. Shlomo S. Hagler (Incumbent)
Hon. Manuel J. Mendez (Incumbent)
Hon. Saliann Scarpulla (Incumbent)
Hon. Hasa Kingo
Hon. Kate Waterman-Marshall
Hon. Christopher Chin

On July 23, 2026, the Independent Screening Panel concluded its Supreme Court deliberations by reporting out as most highly qualified the following candidates:

Hon. Ilona Coleman
Hon. L Austin D’Souza
Hon. Keisha Espinal
Hon. Jeanine Johnson
Hon. Andrea Krugman
Hon. Nicholas W. Moyne
Hon, Aija Tingling
Hon. Richard A. Tsai
Hon. Jeffrey S. Zellan
Hon. Shlomo S. Hagler (incumbent)
Hon. Manuel J. Mendez (incumbent)
Hon. Saliann Scarpulla (incumbent)

The Judiciary Committee of the Manhattan Democratic Party has approved the report of the screening panel, administered by Josh Silber, Esq., which extensively reviewed the background and experience of a number of applicants and determined these well-deserved candidates would be most qualified to vie for Supreme Court seats to be filled at the general election set for November 3, 2026.

On behalf of the Manhattan Democratic Party, County Leader Keith L.T. Wright and Judiciary Co-Chairs Curtis Arluck and Rebecca Weintraub, we sincerely thank the panel and its administrator for their diligent work and congratulate the applicants who join the following candidates reported out of previous panels:

Hon. Shahabuddeen Ally
Hon. Christopher Chin
Hon. Ashlee Crawford
Hon. Hasa Kingo
Hon. Ilana Marcus
Hon. Kate Waterman-Marshall
Hon. Eric Schumacher
Hon. John Wang

New York County Democratic Judicial Delegates convene to elect the Democratic Nominees for Supreme Court for the election to be held November 3rd, 2026.

Where: SVA Theatre
When: August 10th, 2026
Time: 6 PM

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 Josh Silber, Esq., consists of:

Douglas Tang | Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)
Nicolas Bagley | Brehon Law Society
Henry Rocha | City Club New York
Jovia Radix Seaborough | Caribbean American Lawyers Association (CALA)
Steven D. Zecca | Columbian Lawyers Association
Narciso Garcia | Dominican Bar Association
Aarian R. Punter | Harlem Congressions for Community Improvement (H.C.C.I.)
Thomas T. Papain | Hellenic Lawyers Association
Melissa Ryan Reitberg | Jewish Lawyers Guild
Gina Faldetta | Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
Michael Huerta | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL)
Alexis Stanley | Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Zsa’Queria Martin | Mid Manhattan Branch of the NAACP
Kevin Mintzer | National Employment Lawyers Association/NY
Lisa Pigeon | New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Colleen Meenan | New York Women’s Bar Association
Mariia Khorun | Ukrainian American Bar Association
Ashley Jacoby | Women Trial Lawyers Caucus (WTLC)

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 three (3) vacancies on the New York State Supreme Court, and three (3) incumbents running for re-election to Supreme Court to be elected 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 fewer than six (6) or more than the nine (9) most highly qualified candidates for the three vacancies. This year’s Supreme Court panel is being administered by Josh Silber, 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, June 8th, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

It has been a difficult few days as we absorb and begin to mourn the passing of Susan Wright, the beloved wife of County Leader Keith L.T. Wright, mother of Assemblyman Jordan J.G. Wright, and the matriarch of a family committed to public service and community. On behalf of the Manhattan Democratic Party, I extend my condolences to the extended Wright family and the Harlem community that knew and loved Mrs. Wright. We join the many friends, neighbors, and New Yorkers honoring her life and the strength she carried with such grace, particularly in these past few years.

On behalf of the County Leader, the Wright family is deeply grateful for the countless messages of support during this time. Details for the service have been shared by the family and can be viewed online here.

“Yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Louisiana v. Callais to strike down Louisiana’s congressional map, drawn to provide residents a fair opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice, is beyond troubling,” said Chairman Kyle Ishmael. “It reflects the clear intent of a Republican Party invested in racial hierarchy; a party that has abandoned true democracy because it threatens the power they are trying to preserve.

Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion weakens Black and minority voting power at a level that brings this country dangerously close to the years before those protections existed. They are quite literally taking our country back.
What protection remains when the very communities the Voting Rights Act was written to protect are asked to prove discrimination under a standard designed to make that proof nearly impossible?

While New York has stronger protections than many states, we are not separate from the broader impact of decisions like this. My focus is on what this requires of us now. Our responsibility is to stay focused. We make sure our clubs are informed, our voters are engaged, and our borough remains organized and prepared to speak out and fight for fair representation. We will stay coordinated with our elected officials, support efforts to protect voting rights, and continue the work that strengthens participation at every level.

The strength of our democracy shows up in how we respond in moments like this. We will stay organized, we will stay engaged, and we will keep moving forward.”

“My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of former Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, who passed after a long and courageous battle with illness. New York has lost a true giant, and I have lost a dear friend. Cathy was one of the finest public servants I have ever had the privilege of serving alongside. For more than two decades, we worked side by side in Albany fighting for the people of New York, for workers, for children, for families who needed a champion in that chamber,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.

“She was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She was the first woman to chair the Labor Committee, a role she took seriously and executed brilliantly. She didn’t just hold that title, she used it to change lives. Whether it was raising the minimum wage, protecting farm workers, or fighting for universal pre-K, Cathy left an indelible mark on this state. She faced her illness with the same grace and determination she brought to everything in her life. Even in retirement, her presence was felt across this city and this state. New York is lesser today for her absence. Her legacy will endure in every piece of legislation she fought to pass and every community she lifted up along the way. Rest well, Cathy. You earned it.”

On behalf of the Manhattan Democratic Party, County Leader Keith L.T. Wright and the Judiciary Co-Chairs extend their sincere appreciation to the members of the 2026 Independent Judicial Screening Panel and its administrator for their diligence, professionalism, and service. We also thank all candidates who participated in this year’s screening process.

Pursuant to the report of the 2026 Independent Judicial Screening Panel, the following candidates have been reported out by the Panel:

Surrogate’s Court – Incumbent
Rita Mella

Civil Court – Incumbents
Josh Hanshaft
Emily Morales-Minerva
Aija Tingling

Civil Court – Candidates for Vacant Seats
Steven Benathen
Jason Canales
Karen Cortes
Keshia Espinal
Eric Flores
Vlad Frants
Faith Friedman Bondy

“By selecting Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate, Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen an extraordinary public servant,” said Chairman Kyle Ishmael. “I’ve had the honor of working with Adrienne Adams and seeing her steady, principled leadership up close. From her service as a Councilwoman to her tenure as Speaker, she has delivered real results for New Yorkers with the utmost integrity. She has been a bright spot in New York City government and I look forward to the rest of the state getting to know her in the months ahead.

As we honor Black History Month in the midst of a struggling Federal democracy, the elevation of both Speaker Adrienne Adams and India Walton to statewide candidacies is a meaningful moment for New York. And an historic all-woman ticket shows what’s possible when women lead, setting a powerful example for the next generation of leaders across the state. I’m proud of the slate of candidates Democrats have before us.”