Established in 1978, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn (LID) is Brooklyn’s only LGBTQIA+ Democratic Political club. We strive to see the community represented at all levels of Brooklyn politics. Our endorsements are the result of a competitive process resulting in a vote by our membership.

2023 LID General Election Endorsed Candidates

What you can expect on your ballot:

• City Council races

• Judicial races (depending on your district):

  • Supreme Court Justices

  • Civil Court Justices

  • Surrogate Court

• 2 statewide ballot proposals 

Didn’t we JUST have a City Council election?! Do I HAVE to vote?!

Feeling a bit weary from all the election buzz? You're in good company! Due to redistricting, we find ourselves again in an off-cycle election year where all City Council seats in Brooklyn are up for grabs. But, there are some exciting races happening in our borough, and your support for Democrats can make a real difference at the local level.

While it might seem like a low-key election, there are some tight races, particularly in Districts 43, 47, and 48.

Republicans have been making significant inroads in our borough and throughout New York. Despite LID and other progresive club’s dedicated efforts to support the Democratic incumbent Mathylde Frontus, Democrats lost one Assembly seat in Southern Brooklyn in the last election. This loss led to the election of a Republican candidate known for his bigoted and transphobic views. Learn more about that Assembly member here.

In the absence of federal or statewide elections, voter turnout tends to be on the lower side. This is precisely why your vote holds so much weight in ensuring a Democratic victory.

Your participation can help shape the future of our community. So, don't underestimate the power of your vote – it matters!

Who are the judicial candidates and how did they get there?

All Brooklyn Democratic voters will nominate 6 Supreme Court judges and 1 Surrogate Court Judge. Depending on your Municipal Court District, you will vote 1-2 Judges to the Civil Court. 

Confirm your district here: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/

In the June primary many civil court judges did not appear on your ballot because they ran uncompetitive races. The exception was Linda Wilson who won her primary and will appear again on your ballot.

Supreme Court candidates however were nominated during the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s August judicial convention.

While the nomination process may seem democratic on the surface, it can sometimes limit our choices at the polls, leaving us with little option but to vote for the candidate selected by our party leaders. Learn more about how the Party’s actions limits our choices here.

Many of the Supreme Court candidates have elected to run on all three party lines (Democrat, Republican, Conservative).

The Honorable Caroline Cohen is the only candidate exclusively running on the Democratic party line and has received LID’s endorsement.

2023 June Primary LID Endorsements

Note: This election cycle is light on competitive races for Brooklyn. When candidates are running unopposed they will not appear on your primary lection ballot, they may be on your general election ballot in November. Be sure to double-check your City Council district due to redistricting last year!

Competitive Races

County Wide Civil Court Judge

Linda Wilson

City Council - 34th District (Ridgewood, Bushwick, Williamsburg)

Jennifer Gutierrez

Judicial Delegates

 Note: There are two Assembly Districts that have a competitive election for Judicial Delegates. Group 2 is running independently and the County Party attempted to have them thrown off the ballot. LID has not endorsed judicial delegates but strongly supports independent candidates. For this reason, we encourage you to vote for the Judicial Delegate candidates in Group 2.

Assembly District 46

Delegates

Group 1: Dionne Brown-Jordan, Michael Silverman, William Zeoli, Patricia Brown, Lori Silverman, Maudie S. Grant

🔹 Group 2: Justin Brannan, Christopher M. McCreight, Angela Kravtchenko, Charlene T. Batts, Steven Saperstein, Joseph J. Packer

Alternate Delegates

Group 1: Annette Wesley Barbara Teitelbaum Joshua Teitelbaum Brenda Johnson Ayesha Mohammed Lakeisha Bowers

🔹Group 2: Reem A. Jaafar, Marvin J. Reiskin, Michael Thomas Sheldon, Danielle Y. Mowery, Katie A. Cuoco

Assembly District 54

Delegates

Group 1: Rafael L. Espinal Jr., Martin Malave Dilan, Arleny Alvarado-McCalla, Yamil Speight-Miller, Denise Peace, Pablo Rivera

🔹 Group 2: Ophelia C. Mercado, Paula Melendez, Ophelia Rivas, Robert Camacho, Acire Polight, Jessica Highet

Alternate Delegates

Group 1: Heriberto Mateo, Lydia McCalla, Misba Abdin, Gregory Hunter, Elizabeth Zadai, Ronald R. Fraser

🔹 Group 2: Alison Feldman, Kurt Barnes Sr, Kurt Barnes Jr