2026 Judicial Delegate Candidates

At the annual Judicial Convention, Judicial Delegates have the ability to nominate and vote on candidates to become Supreme Court nominees. Delegates are elected from State Assembly districts, and the number of delegates is based on the number of party voters within each district. Alternate delegates are selected in the event that any delegate is not available.

Select up to 20 candidates

Reid Aronson - I am an attorney working primarily in Manhattan Supreme Court. I have been a judicial delegate for the past three years, and have served as chair of the Judiciary Committee of Lex Club since 2024.

Vanessa Aronson - Former president and enthusiastic Lex Club member since 2016. Two-term CB8 member, former Foreign Service Officer, NYC public school teacher, and nonprofit strategist. Alumna of UChicago, Harvard, and Relay Graduate School of Education. Committed to continuing Lex Club's legacy as NYC's first Reform Club.

Daniel Berger - Daniel Berger lives on the UES with his wife Lynn. He has served on the Lexington Democratic Club Executive Committee for the past two years. He received his BA from Brandeis University and MBA at NYU’s Stern Business School. He’s been a municipal bond strategist/analyst for over 25 years.

Lynn Berger - Served proudly as Vice President of the Lexington Democratic Club for the past two years and prior to that as Executive Vice President and Secretary. Looking forward to continuing my involvement by serving as Judicial Delegate. Lived and worked on the Upper East Side for the past 25 +years.

Gwendolyn Blackstone - I have served as both delegate and alternate; have worked in the court system assistant to my late husband, defense attorney David Blackstone, as well as campaigning for candidates for the judiciary. I know the importance of these positions and want to remain part of the process.

Taína Borrero - Currently working for NYS OTDA, I’ve worked for Elected officials for many years. I've had years of experience petitioning, campaigning and currently serve on the Lex Club Executive Board. Additionally, I’ve served for years as a judicial and alternate delegate to the Manhattan Judicial Convention and hope to continue to.

Meryl Brodsky - District Leader, 73rd A.D., Part A. NY County Executive Committee Member, Economist, Policy Analyst, held state and city appointments; Director, Turtle Bay Association; Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza; Public Member, Community Board 8; former candidate public office. I am running to continue our tradition of selecting the best panel-approved judges.

Jennifer Frankola-Crawford - Jennifer Frankola-Crawford is a local parent, attorney, arbitrator, & former public school teacher committed to fair courts and civic engagement. She supports selecting qualified, impartial judges, protecting democratic values, and ensuring a judiciary grounded in integrity, equity, and public trust for all.

Yael Jekogian - Executive Vice President of Lex Club, NY County Committee member & Judicial Delegate since 2024. I have helped elect Democratic candidates to state supreme courts across the US with Markers For Democracy. I would like to help elect upstanding judges to the NY Supreme Court in NY County.

Iksander Khan - Born and raised in Midtown East. Current Cornell student and Bronx Science alum. I've worked on campaigns for Carolyn Maloney and Alex Bores, and most recently on the Political Team and Advance Team for Kamala Harris. Previously worked at a DC-based government advising firm and in Manhattan helping local restaurants.

Thomas Leonard - I’m a born and raised Yorkville resident. I’m currently a Lieutenant for FDNY in the Bronx. My goal for the coming months and years is to engage in our neighborhood and represent the honest interests of our community.

Cade Leslie - Community Affairs Liaison to State Senator José Serrano serving Yorkville and CB8. Former Field Director for Virginia Maloney’s City Council campaign. Board Member of Stonewall Democrats advancing LGBTQ+ rights and Policy Director for Manhattan Young Democrats, driving youth engagement and local policy advocacy.

Robin Marsico - Litigator in private practice for many years, now a court attorney in the State court system. Long-time club member – has petitioned and campaigned for club candidates, and was a judicial campaign treasurer, District Leader, Ex-Com member, Judicial Convention delegate/alternate, County Committee member. Also plays drums in a rock band.

Mark McKew - Longtime UES resident, prior judicial delegate, and current LDC Treasurer. My experience litigating in state and federal courts to resolve disputes in business, logistics, and transportation, has made me determined to enhance the diversity, fairness, and capabilities of our judiciary; I hope to accomplish that goal as judicial delegate.

Noreen Shevlin McManus - I believe in maintaining the integrity of our judicial system and the even handed administration of our laws and statues. Prior judicial delegate, District Leader, 73rd AD, Part C. Active Lex Club member. Co-Chair of the Campaign Committee. Passionate Tenant Activist. Eager to serve. Thank you for your support.

David Menegon - As a judicial delegate, my priority is selecting judges with the experience and character necessary to administer justice fairly. This crucial role ensures that our legal system reflects integrity and public trust, fostering a judiciary committed to upholding the highest standards of justice.

Kimberly Miller - With nearly a decade of dedication to the Lexington Democratic Club, including roles as Recording Secretary and Vice President, I bring a proven commitment to community engagement. As a judicial delegate, I will continue to champion our mission, ensuring our voices are heard and our values upheld.

Sherif Moussa - Sherif is a seasoned litigator, Manhattan-based civil rights attorney, and dedicated advocate for families of children with special needs. A Duke Law graduate, he serves as an adjunct CUNY professor of law and philosophy, is fluent in Arabic, and focuses on representing families at impartial hearings throughout New York City.

Beth Rasin - Beth currently has her own law practice building on her experience as a corporate, business and real estate attorney, a non-profit executive director, an executive on Company management teams and a consultant on governance and Board management. She understands first-hand the importance of well-qualified judges in our judicial system.

Barbara Rudder - I have been a judicial delegate for a couple of years and learn about and support the club's endorsed candidates by attending many meet and greets and the Judicial convention. As a member of theExecutive Board, I actively petition for its candidates.

Howard Sanders - Currently the President of the LDC, past Chair of the Judiciary Committee and for several years a Judicial Delegate or Alternate. I am a trial attorney, former prosecutor, NYC Assistant Corporation Counsel, Inspector General-NYC Department of Probation and VISTA Volunteer. A fair and experienced Judiciary is essential to democracy.

Elana Schwartz - Currently working for NYS OTDA, I’ve worked for Elected officials for many years. I've had years of experience petitioning, campaigning and currently serve on the Lex Club Executive Board. Additionally, I’ve served for years as a judicial and alternate delegate to the Manhattan Judicial Convention and hope to continue to.

Scott Shapiro - Longtime Lex Club member, lifetime Manhattanite, and Democrat. Volunteered in judicial campaigns over the years, including for Arthur F. Engoron, Marc J. Whiten, James E. d'Auguste, Eve Rachel Markewich, and John J. Reddy, Jr. Currently, a Forensic Psych. Trial Consultant on the Upper East Side.

Steven Shapiro - Steve Shapiro is a practicing attorney and time Lex Club member has extensive experience as a member of judicial screening panels, judicial campaigns and with campaign finance and election matters.

Justin Smith - Justin Smith is a UChicago graduate, local upper east side resident, and now second-term lex club executive board member. As a younger member with long-term club engagement, he’s extremely excited to help participate in the judicial selection process and ensure we select impartial, principled, and measured judges.

Isabella Soldano - I am an experienced attorney with a strong ethical backbone and a principled commitment to public service. I have served in city government before and bring a deep respect for due process over ideology. I am committed to appointing qualified justices who exhibit fairness, integrity, and impartiality.

Russell Squire - I am a past President of the Lex Club and former Chair of Community Board 8, currently serving as District Leader. I have been a judicial delegate for several years. I am also an attorney. I am committed to continuing our tradition of supporting qualified judges who share our values.

Joseph Stern - New Lex Club member here; looking forward to meeting you all if I haven’t yet! I’ve served as a judicial/alternate delegate for several years with Four Freedoms. I’m an attorney who has worked for state and federal judges in manhattan, as a defense attorney, and now as a federal prosecutor.

Gligor Tashkovich - Executive Committee, Lexington Democratic Club 2024-2026, Alternate Judicial Delegate 2025, Board of Elections Assembly District Monitor (and other positions) since October 2002.

Alex Toporek - Alex, born and raised on Manhattan's Upper East Side, is CEO and Founder of Rebuild—software helping restoration contractors repair disaster-damaged homes faster. As natural disasters increase nationwide, Rebuild enables quicker homeowner response. Alex graduated from Johns Hopkins with degrees in Computer Science and Economics.

Nicole Veno - Lex Club Ex Comm Member. Plaintiff-side antitrust attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience in state and federal court, including antitrust and consumer class actions, whistleblower, and breach of contract litigation. Will champion a fair, well-qualified judiciary with a diversity of experiences.