Candidate Forum & Endorsement Meeting Info. for 2026 Midterms & State Races

Dec 15, 2025

VID will host a series of candidate forums and endorsement meetings for the upcoming 2026 election cycle for: U.S. Congress (NY-10 & NY-12) •NY State Senate & Assembly • Governor  • Attorney General • Comptroller • State Committee and VID Elections.


2026 Midterm & Statewide Election Schedule:

View the full schedule here. Printable, one page version here. And always check the calendar for updates.

 

DECEMBER 11, 2025  - VID monthly membership meeting 

Candidate Forum & Endorsement Vote: 

  • NY State Senate District 27
    • Brian Kavanagh (incumbent) – endorsed

Following the forum, members in good standing discussed and voted to endorse Brian Kavanagh.

*Election Part 1 VID Club Elections:

  • President: Sara Kimbell – elected
  • Vice Presidents – elected
    • Liz Cohen, Remy Kothe, Mindy Rosier

Constitutional Amendment Vote #1:

  • Constitutional Waiver & Membership Coordinator – both passed round 1

*VID will host the second part of club elections on Jan. 8th.  for Treasurer, Recording Secretary (1), Corresponding Secretaries (2), Members-at-Large (15). More info. here.

 JANUARY 8, 2026 - VID monthly membership meeting - Meeting details here

Candidate Forum & Endorsement Vote:

  • NY State Senate District 47  (special election & primary vote: Brad Holyman-Sigal elected to another position)
    • Candidates
      • Erick Bottcher - endorsed
  • NYS Assembly-66 AD (Open Seat- Deborah Glick retiring)
    • Candidates
      • Corinne Arnold
      • Ryder Kessler
      • Jeannine Kiely
      • David Siffert - endorsed
      • Ben Yee

Following the forum, members in good standing will discuss and vote to endorse a candidate.

VID Election: Part 2 VID Club Elections:

  • Corresponding Secretaries (2), Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Members-at-Large (15).  See here for the results of VID's full Executive Committee

Constitutional Amendment Vote #2:

  • Constitutional Waiver & Membership Coordinator - both passed round 2

JANUARY 21, 2026 – Special meeting. Meeting details here.

Time: 6:30pm - Note earlier start time! Doors open at 6pm
Location: CUNY Grad Center 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016
RSVP HERE: Space is limited! Only admitted with confirmed RSVP.
Zoom: link HERE - if you're unable to attend in person
For more information about the candidates:  click here.

VID will hold an endorsement meeting for these candidates during a special meeting on Jan. 22. Details here. 

VID has very few election districts (EDs) in NY-12, and therefore will be joining fellow Democratic clubs* at their forum.  

JANUARY 22, 2026  - Joint Forum - meeting details here

Candidate Forum & Endorsement Vote:

 

For more information about the candidates:  click here.

 

Following the forum, members in good standing will discuss and vote to endorse candidates.

Participating clubs: Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, Coalition for a District Alternative, Downtown Independent Democrats, VID

 

JANUARY 29, 2026 – THIS WILL BE A ZOOM ONLY MEETING.  REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM LINK HERE: 

Joint Forum: United Coalition of Downtown Democratic Clubs Candidate Forum -Meeting details here. VID will hold and endorsement meeting for these races during the February 12th meeting.  

Candidate Forum 

Participating clubs

3 Bridges Democratic Club, Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, College Democrats of New York, Coalition for a District Alternative, Downtown Independent Democrats, Eleanor Roosevelt Independent Democrats, Grand Street Democrats, Hells Kitchen Democrats, Manhattan Young Democrats, Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club, NYU College Democrats, United Democratic Organization, Village Independent Democrats

 

FEBRUARY 12, 2026 - VID monthly membership meeting, meeting details here.

Please join us on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 6 pm (Note: Earlier Start Time) at St. John’s Lutheran Church (81 Christopher St.) for VID’s next General Membership Meeting. If you're unable to attend in person, a Zoom registration link is available HERE. 

Meeting agenda as follows:

Pursuant to the VID Constitution, Vice President Liz Cohen, who currently holds a patronage position and is a candidate for President, submitted a statement outlining her roles and responsibilities (statement here).

The Executive Committee reviewed this submission and voted to approve the waiver, subject to ratification by the membership. The statement is shared below for your review. At the meeting, members will vote on the waiver; if approved, Vice President Cohen will be eligible to run for President in a Special Election following the waiver vote.

Agenda:

Club Governance: Votes & Elections

  • Vote on waiver (following presentation & discussion). Waiver here. - Passed
  • Vote for VID President - Liz Cohen elected in special election
  • Nomination & Election for Three Executive Committee Openings - see here for full VID Executive Committee list

Candidate Forum & Endorsement Votes

  • Civil Court (countywide):(presentations only, endorsement vote 2/16)
  • Surrogate Court: candidates Hon. Rita Mella (presentations only, endorsement vote 2/16)
  • State Committee Members (2): Sommer Omar, Ben Yee (presentations only, endorsement vote 2/16)
  • VID Judicial Delegates & Alternates: see here for full VID Executive Committee list

Endorsement Votes: Candidate forum previously held, recording here.

Following the forum, members in good standing will discuss and vote to endorse candidates.

Meeting Procedures & Housekeeping: 

Q&A During the candidate forum Q & A please refrain from making statements and ask questions only. Members have 30 seconds to ask concise questions, giving candidates time to respond and others an opportunity to ask questions.  Candidates have 1 minute to respond. Please be respectful when asking questions; we will not allow any follow-up, cross-talk, or shouting from the audience. VID members will have priority to ask questions. If time allows, non-members will be permitted to ask questions.

Member Endorsement Discussion For VID members only. Non-members, candidates, and campaign staff must leave the room and Zoom after presentations. 

Voting eligibility: You must be a VID member in good standing (member for 3+ months and dues up to date) to be eligible to vote.

Zoom: If you are participating on Zoom, please ensure your full name is displayed (not “iPhone” or similar). Membership will be verified prior to discussion and voting. Anyone who is not a VID member will be asked to leave the Zoom

February 16. 2026: Special Forum and Endorsement Meeting

The VID Executive Committee has called a Special Virtual Forum/Endorsement Meeting to meet the February 24 petitioning deadline and address recent developments. Brian Kavanagh has decided not to seek reelection in NY State Senate District 27. Erik Bottcher’s election to the NYS Senate created a vacancy in NYC Council District 3. If an endorsement is not reached at the VIDs' February 12 meeting, the Civil Court Countywide will also be held.

 

NYS Senate District 27 candidates:

  • Grace Lee
  • Yuh-Line Niou
  • Sommer Omar

NYC Council District 3 Candidates

Civil Court Countywide (endorsement vote only. Candidates previously presented)

  • Candidates:
    • Stephen Benethen
    • Jason Canales
    • Karen Cortes
    • Josh Hanshaft (incumbent)
    • Eric Flores
    • Vlad Frants

Surrogate Court (endorsement vote only. Candidates previously presented)

  • Candidates:
    • Hon. Rita Mella (incumbent)

State Committee Members (2): (endorsement vote only. Candidates previously presented

  • Candidates:
    • Sommer Omar (open seat)
    • Ben Yee (incumbent)

Zoom link here. Start time, 6:00 pm. Meeting details here.