The Libertarian Party of New York has completed its elections for the 2026-2028 State Committee, with 16 members elected across seven Judicial Districts, and numerous vacancies. The results were certified by the Elections Oversight Committee on September 28, 2026. The newly elected State Committee will take office and convene for the first time at the LPNY State Convention on October 24, 2026, in Mount Kisco.
The State Committee serves as the governing body of the Libertarian Party of New York, overseeing the direction, operations, and organizational decisions of the state party. Members are elected by County Affiliates within New York’s Judicial Districts.
Election Process
Preparations for the 2026–2028 State Committee elections began at the March 8, 2026 State Committee meeting with the election of the Elections Oversight Committee. Andrew Kolstee served as Chair of the committee and was joined by Steven Becker, Samuel Hordeski, and Duane Whitmer. Later, Justin Carman and Catrina Rocco were elected to two of the vacancies on the committee.
Following the formation of the committee, applications were opened to Libertarian Party members interested in serving on the State Committee. Registrants were reviewed by the Elections Oversight Committee to determine their eligibility under party rules. Eligible candidates were then submitted to the Local Affiliates located within their respective Judicial Districts for voting.
The registration period was ultimately extended through July 5, 2026. Following the Elections Oversight Committee’s review of the registrants, candidates were certified on July 8 and voting by the Local Affiliates began. Affiliates were given through August 31 to complete their voting.
After the affiliate voting process was completed and the results reviewed, the Elections Oversight Committee certified the elected members on September 28.
Election Results
The following members were elected to the 2026–2028 State Committee:
Judicial District 1
(no elections held – 2 vacancies)
Judicial District 2
(no elections held – 2 vacancies)
Judicial District 3
– Justin Carman (incumbent)
– Pietro Geraci (incumbent)
Judicial District 4
(no elections held – 3 vacancies)
Judicial District 5
– Daniel Castello (incumbent)
– James Fitch (incumbent)
– Rose Leatherman (incumbent)
Judicial District 6
– Charles Dorgan (incumbent)
– Mark Braiman (incumbent)
– Samuel Hordeski (incumbent)
Judicial District 7
– Steven Becker (incumbent)
– Theresa Corrigan
Judicial District 8
– Andrew Kolstee (incumbent)
– Duane Whitmer (incumbent)
– 2 vacancies
Judicial District 9
– Nicholas Castellano
– Nicole Hewson
– Catrina Rocco (incumbent)
Judicial District 10
(no timely elections held –
4 vacancies)
Judicial District 11
– Mark Weinblatt (incumbent)
– 1 vacancy
Judicial District 12
(no elections held – 1 vacancy)
Judicial District 13
(no elections held – 1 vacancy)
Of the 16 elected, 13 are incumbents and 3 are new: Theresa Corrigan (Monroe County Secretary), Nicholas Castellano (Westchester-Putnam Secretary), and Nicole Hewson (Orange County Vice Chair).
No State Committee members were elected from Judicial Districts 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, or 13. Judicial District 12 had no candidates.
Other candidates appearing in the final district voting included Chance Haywood in Judicial District 1; Paul Grindle in Judicial District 2; Evan Lebrecht in Judicial District 3; Charles Williams in Judicial District 4; Richard Purtell in Judicial District 6; Michael Cody in Judicial District 8; Chuck Monsanto and Daniel Donnelly in Judicial District 9; Jonathan Gunther, Christian Padgett, Raymond Negron, Vincent O’Neill, Robert Schuon, and Blay Tarnoff in Judicial District 10; and Susan Overeem-Cummings in Judicial District 13.
Both Nassau and Suffolk Counties held elections, but after the August 30 deadline. Both elected four candidates as their representatives, but it will be up to the State Committee to determine how they fill the vacancies. Those candidates are: Jonathan Gunther, Christian Padgett, RObert Schuon, and Blay Tarnoff.
New Committee
to Convene October 24
The members elected for the 2026–2028 term will officially take office on October 24, 2026, when the new State Committee convenes during the LPNY State Convention at Hotel MTK in Mount Kisco.
One of the first responsibilities of the newly constituted State Committee will be the election of the LPNY Executive Committee for the coming term.
The October 24 meeting will mark the transition from the 2024-2026 State Committee to the 2026-2028 State Committee and begin the next two-year organizational term for the Libertarian Party of New York.