Statement from County Leader Keith L.T. Wright on Retirement of Assemblymember Inez E. Dickens

“I have known Inez Dickens for the greater part of my life. As a neighbor, friend, partner and colleague in government, she has always been a staunch fighter for Harlem,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright. “Inez is one of the fiercest advocates I’ve had the pleasure to know and work with. During her time in the New York City Council, she was able to secure unprecedented resources for our community institutions like Harlem Hospital, A. Philip Randolph Houses, and the National Urban League Headquarters. Inez succeeded me in the New York State Assembly and saw to the completion of the Studio Museum of Harlem and the Victoria Theatre. Her motives have always been rooted in making sure our community not only survived but thrived. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her dedication and service to our city and state. I wish nothing but the best for Inez and I will continue to work with her for the betterment of our beloved Harlem.”

2024 Civil Court Independent Screening Panel

The New York County Democratic Committee, having previously 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 (two vacancies); First Municipal Court District (one vacancy); Second Municipal Court District (one vacancy); Fifth Municipal Court District (one vacancy); and three (3) incumbents running for re-election to Civil Court, which will be filled in the November election. We are proud to announce that the screening panel for Civil Court 2024, administered by Attorney Lauren A. Jones, consists of:

Brian Karalunas | Armenian Bar Association
Pang-Mei Natasha Chang | Asian American Bar Association of New York
Ronak Patel | Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Elizabeth Malang | Brehon Law Society
Katherine Rosenfeld | City Club of New York
Anthony Mastroianni | Columbian Lawyers Association
Altagracia Nunez | Dominican Bar Association
Caroline Marshall | Fortune Society
Aubrey Hurse | Greater Harlem Coalition
Sonica Dixon | Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York
Ted Anastasiou | Hellenic Lawyers Association
Farimah Ghaffari | Iranian Bar Association
Andrew Johnson “A.J.” Mallon | Jewish Lawyers Guild
Christine Kim | Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
Robert H. King | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL)
Shirley H. Smith | Mid-Manhattan Branch of the NAACP
Stephen Louis | New York Law School
Gabriela Pulla | New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Sharday Urtarte | New York Urban League
Claire Mooney | New York Women’s Bar Association
Joshua Goldstein | NYC Bar Trusts, Estates and Surrogate’s Court Committee
Andres Orejuela | P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Harlem
Elena Makau | Puerto Rican Bar Association
Perry Shusterman | Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus

Manhattan Democratic Party Announces 2024 Civil Court Candidate Selection Process

UPDATE: December 23, 2023
The governor has signed A05366/S05414 into law, creating one (1) additional countywide Civil Court vacancy. The 2024 Independent Screening Panel will screen for this vacancy as well.

The New York County Democratic Committee has announced the formation of the 2024 Independent Screening Panel to report on the qualifications of candidates seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for: Civil Court Countywide (one vacancy); First Municipal Court District (one vacancy); Second Municipal Court District (one vacancy); Fifth Municipal Court District (one vacancy); possibly one (1) additional Civil Court Countywide vacancy should the governor sign A05366/S05414 into law; and three (3) incumbents running for re-election to Civil Court, which will be filled in the November 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.

Candidates for the Court may obtain applications from Mr. Kyle Ishmael, the Executive Director of the New York County Democratic Committee, via email at judiciary.manhattandems@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting completed applications is January 4, 2024 at 5pm. Questions concerning this year’s panel should be directed to Mr. Ishmael via email.

This notice will be updated once the status of A05366/S05414 is known.

Statement on the Passing of Ken Sherrill

“On behalf of Democrats across the county, I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the esteemed former District Leader Ken Sherrill. He was a Pioneer, and scholar, and a trusted friend we will miss dearly,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.

District Leader Joan Paylo (AD69 Part B) offered the following obituary:
A great American, the pioneering political scientist and former 69th AD Democratic District Leader Ken Sherrill has died. The first openly gay official to win an elective office in New York State, he was 81.

His former students, friends, associates and the political reporters who sought him out for quotes and wisdom knew him as a gifted and brilliant scholar who was genuinely kind, generous, witty and a loyal Mets fan.

Ken’s groundbreaking research and analysis on the role that LGBTQ+ voters play in American politics won him national recognition and established the field as mainstream. In 1973, he was the first person to present empirical research on gay rights at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. He was an expert witness in several cases before the US Supreme Court. He also wrote the PoliSci 101 classic “Power, Policy and Participation: an Introduction to American Government.”

From 1996 to 2005, Ken chaired the Political Science Department at Hunter College. His CUNY career spanned 41 years as a professor and later Professor Emeritus. Before that, he had earned his PhD from UNC at Chapel Hill and taught at Oberlin College. Until his passing, he continued to speak around the country and to mentor past and present students, supporting them through career and life challenges.

His fellow members of West Side Democrats consider him a guide and an inspiration. He served as a Community Free Democrats District Leader in Jerry Nadler’s Assembly District from 1979 through 1983, leaving behind some great stories from his unprecedented street campaign.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his husband and life partner for almost 60 years, Gerald Otte.

Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Ken Sherrill Prize Fund at the American Political Science Association (apsanet.org/sherrill).

Manhattan Dems Express Support for ‘No Cap Act’

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Executive Committee of the Manhattan Democratic Party unanimously adopted the following resolution in favor of the ‘No Cap Act’ (A05366) sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores.

WHEREAS, the ‘No Cap Act’ (A05366), introduced in the New York State Assembly by Assemblymember Alex Bores, removes the limit on Supreme Court Justices by population in New York State; and

WHEREAS, this one-line amendment to the New York State Constitution would strike the current cap of one judge allotted per 50,000 residents, a limit first imposed in 1925; and

WHEREAS, the complexity and volume of cases before the 1st Judicial District, serving New York County, today is far beyond what any lawmaker could have imagined during the Coolidge Administration; and

WHEREAS, this amendment seeks to address the immense case backlog The Supreme Court of the State of New York faces, particularly in Manhattan, where we have long been at the maximum number of justices and desperately need the opportunity to appoint more; and

WHEREAS, the status quo, in which the 1st Judicial District has been forced to borrow judges from other jurisdictions to help alleviate this snowballing burden, is untenable; and

WHEREAS, as representatives of our community, we know there is a real human cost to the growing case backlog, as those awaiting trial are stuck in limbo as court, legal fees pile up, divorce cases linger unresolved wreaking havoc on families, and the victims of crimes, and their loved ones, experience sleepless nights as they seek resolution; and

WHEREAS, this legislation, which has now passed the New York State Senate with overwhelming support, carried by Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Hoylman-Sigal, is a necessary measure long overdue which we cannot afford to delay further; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, as the Executive Committee of the New York County Democratic Committee, we affirm our support for Assemblymember Bores’ No Cap Act (A05366), and urge the New York State Assembly to bring to a vote this critical legislative relief for our overtaxed judicial system, for we know justice delayed – is justice denied.

Statement on the Passing of Ralph Andrew

“Our Manhattan Democratic Party is saddened by the recent passing of Ralph Andrew, a committed community activist who dedicated his life to living out his Democratic ideals and values,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.

“As a long-time supporter of Democratic political campaigns across Manhattan, New York State, and nationally, Ralph saw it all over the decades and made friends across generations, ideologies, and geographies. He was a dear friend, husband, father and grandfather, and our deepest condolences are extended to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Obituary: Ralph Andrew

RESULTS OF THE 2023 COUNTY COMMITTEE ORGANIZING MEETING

On Thursday, October 5th, the Manhattan Democratic Party held the 2023 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.

“We are Democrats! And we should be proud of that,” exclaimed County Leader Keith L.T. Wright to a lively, packed crowd — further making the point that Democrats hold every elected office in New York County due to the dedication of County Committee Members, Democratic Clubs, and District Leaders across the borough.

The meeting, which took place at The New York Society for Ethical Culture, opened with remarks by County Leader Keith L.T. Wright, a primer on County Committee by District Leader Kim Moscaritolo, a briefing on the No Cap Act by Assemblymember Alex Bores, details on how to get involved with NY for Biden+Harris from Director of Communications & Engagement Ny Whitaker, and information on becoming a Presidential Delegate by District Leader Mike Corbett.

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 | Domenico Minerva
• 1st Vice Chair | Mariama James
• 2nd Vice Chair | Kyle Ishmael
• 3rd Vice Chair | Johanna Garcia
• Secretary | Barry Weinberg
• Treasurer | Charlette Mimiasie
• Vice Treasurer | Sharase DeBouse
• Sergeant-at-Arms | Paula Diamond Román

Detailed results of the Officer elections can be found here.

Statement on the Passing of Georgetta Gittens

“In this moment of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of our beloved Georgetta Gittens, a remarkable member of our Democratic family. Beyond her political involvement, Georgetta was a loving and supportive friend to so many of us,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.

“Georgetta’s dedication to our party was inspiring. As a District Leader and a vital member of our Executive Committee, she tirelessly championed the values and principles that define our party. Her passion for justice, equality, and community engagement served as an inspiration to us all; and she leaves an indelible mark on all our hearts.”

Statement on the Passing of Gerald Kahn

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of a cherished member of our democratic family. Gerald Kahn was not just a dedicated Democrat, he was a dear friend,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright. “Gerry was the embodiment of our values and principles. Throughout the years, he served our party with unwavering commitment, holding roles as a district leader, judicial delegate, and a vital member of the judiciary committee.”

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Gerry’s family and friends during this difficult time. In honor of Gerald Kahn’s memory, let us recommit ourselves to the principles he held dear and continue the important work he championed.”

Manhattan District Leaders Elect Executive Committee Officers for 2023-2025 Term

On the evening of Tuesday, September 12, 2023, the duly elected District Leaders of the Manhattan Democratic Party (otherwise known as the Executive Committee of the New York County Democratic Committee) gathered to be sworn-in and to elect officers for the 2023-2025 term.

Upon motions from the floor, Keith L.T. Wright (70th AD), Louise Dankberg (74th AD), and Mariama James (65th AD) were elected to serve as County Leader, Executive Committee Chair, and Executive Committee Vice-Chair respectively.

“I’m honored to be re-elected as Democratic County Leader of this very special borough” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright. “Democrats have a very busy and important year ahead of us as we look towards the upcoming Federal and State elections. The stronger we are as a County Party, the better equipped we’ll be to make sure that New York leads the way in retaking the House from Republican control and making Congressman Hakeem Jeffries the first Black Speaker of the House, and ensuring that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer maintains his Democratic majority on behalf of all New Yorkers and the American people.”