Queens voters to decide key Civil Court races in 2025 primary and general elections

Queens voters will head to the polls this year to decide a mix of contested and uncontested Civil Court races, including three competitive Democratic primaries and multiple general election matchups. The contests span countywide vacancies and judicial seats in four Municipal Court Districts. The primary election will take place on Tuesday, June 24, with the general election set for Tuesday, November 4.

Civil Court – Countywide (3 vacancies)

Seven candidates are running for three open seats on the Queens County Civil Court in the 2025 election cycle. One seat will be decided through a contested Democratic primary in June, with the winner advancing to face a Republican opponent in the November general election. All three vacancies will be filled in the November election.

Vacancy 1: Democratic Primary – June 24

Two Democratic candidates are competing for the nomination to advance to the general election:

John Ciafone (D): A longtime Astoria resident and seasoned personal injury attorney with over 25 years of legal experience, Ciafone has been recognized as Best Attorney in Queens and other counties by Schneps Media and multiple organizations. Known for his commitment to justice and public service, he has previously sought judicial office in 2020, 2021, and 2023.

Sheridan Chu (D): A lifelong New Yorker with over a decade of experience as a court attorney in housing and criminal courts. Chu focuses on tenant rights, public safety, and judicial integrity.

The winner of this primary will face in the general election:

William David Shanahan (R): A lifelong Queens resident and attorney with over 30 years of experience in criminal and civil litigation.

Vacancy 2: General Election – November 4

This seat will be decided in the general election between:

Indira Khan (D): A trial lawyer and community advocate, Khan emphasizes ethical, impartial decisions and courtroom efficiency.

Mary Ann Maloney (R): A Jamaican-born attorney with over 27 years of experience, including roles as an administrative law judge and family court attorney.

Vacancy 3: General Election – November 4

The following candidates will appear on the November ballot:

Oma Phillips (D): With over 30 years in the legal field, Phillips has served as an assistant district attorney and court attorney in both Supreme and Family Courts.

Stephen C. Dachtera (R): A Queens resident and private attorney focused on restoring faith in the court system and improving court efficiency.

Civil Court – Municipal Court District Races (4 districts)

In addition to the countywide seats, nine candidates are running in general and primary elections across four Civil Court Municipal Districts:

District 1: Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside

Juliette-Noor Haji (D): A public defender and law professor with 15 years of experience serving Queens residents.

Thomas Wright-Fernandez (D): A Long Island City resident with 15 years of experience in civil, criminal, and immigration law. He currently serves as a principal law clerk to a New York State Supreme Court Justice.

(This is a contested Democratic primary.)

District 2: Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, Sunnyside, and parts of Forest Hills

Eve Cho Guillergan (D): An immigration attorney and advocate for DACA and immigration reform, Guillergan is also a bar association leader.

Julie Milner (D): A constitutional and civil rights attorney who also serves as an education professor and dissertation advisor at Long Island University.

(This is a contested Democratic primary.)