Nikki Lucas Endorses 5
Brooklyn Judicial Candidates

Petitioning has concluded citywide, marking the transition from signature gathering to official ballot confirmation. Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas, who also serves as Female District Leader of the 60th Assembly District, alongside Male District Leader Michael Rosendary, led a coordinated effort that mobilized thousands of Brooklyn voters in support of their endorsed slate.

“Our team worked hard to engage the community and ensure strong, qualified candidates are positioned to serve,” said Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas. “I’m proud to endorse each of these candidates and appreciate the support we received from residents across Brooklyn.”

Michael Rosendary highlighted the unity behind the slate and the strength of the petitioning effort.

“We’re grateful to Assemblywoman Lucas for her leadership and proud of the work our team put in during petitioning,” said Rosendary. “This endorsement reflects a shared commitment to experience, fairness, and service on the bench.”

The Endorsed Judicial Candidates

The Lucas-endorsed slate includes one district race and four borough-wide races for Kings County Civil Court:

Anthony W. Vaughn, Jr. — 4th Municipal District
A Brooklyn-based attorney with more than 26 years of legal experience, Vaughn is the Immediate Past President of the Brooklyn Bar Association and a recognized leader in the borough’s legal community.
“I’m deeply grateful to Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas for her endorsement and support,” Vaughn said. “I look forward to continuing this campaign focused on fairness and delivering justice for the people of Brooklyn.

Danielle A. Noel — Borough-Wide
A Court Attorney Referee with over a decade of experience, Noel is running to bring equity, empathy, and real-world understanding to the bench.
“I sincerely thank Assemblywoman Lucas for her endorsement and confidence in my candidacy,” Noel said. “This support means a great deal as we work to ensure the courts serve everyone equally.”

Celeste E. Felix — Borough-Wide
Felix serves as a Principal Law Clerk in Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, where she manages complex civil matters and drafts legal opinions.
“I’m thankful to Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas for her endorsement and leadership,” Felix said. “I’m committed to bringing experience and thoughtful decision-making to the court.”

Christine G. Ortiz — Borough-Wide
Ortiz is a Principal Law Clerk in Kings County Supreme Court with extensive experience supporting civil trials and judicial decision-making across the state court system.

“I appreciate Assemblywoman Lucas’ endorsement and the trust she has placed in me to serve the people of Brooklyn,” Ortiz said. “With over a decade of service in the Kings County courts, I am ready to bring my experience and a lifelong commitment to public service to the Civil Court bench.”

Linda Lo Cascio — Borough-Wide
A Court Attorney-Referee with more than 27 years of legal experience, Lo Cascio has served in private practice and as a court attorney to multiple Brooklyn Supreme Court judges.
“I’m honored and grateful to receive Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas’ endorsement,” Lo Cascio said. “I look forward to serving Brooklyn with integrity and experience.”

What Happens Next

With petitioning now complete, the next step is ballot certification. Candidates who do not face challengers will automatically become the Democratic nominee for the November 2026 General Election, while those in contested races will appear on the ballot in the June primary.

Primary Election Day will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with Early Voting scheduled from Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, June 21.

As Brooklyn moves into the next phase of the election cycle, Lucas’ endorsed slate enters the race with strong organizational backing, early voter engagement, and a unified message centered on experience, fairness, and service in the courts.

NYC Newswire distribution paid for by Anthony Vaughn Jr for Civil Court, Christine Ortiz for Civil Court Judge, Committee to Elect Danielle Noel, Celeste Felix for Civil Court Judge, Linda Lo Cascio for Judge