2026 New York General Election

Aija Tingling

Alejandra Gracias

Aija Tingling earned a bachelor's degree from Morgan State University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Aija Tingling - Centre Watch | Substack

Aija Tingling previously worked as an attorney at Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith.

Aija previously served as a judge for the Bronx County Family Court in New York’s 12th Judicial District. She was elected to the bench in 2017.

As of October 15, 2026, Aija Tingling’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Legal Experience

Judicial Philosophy

As a New York County Supreme Court judge, Aija Tingling primarily handles matrimonial matters and assumed most of the caseload from two other judges.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Karen Cortes-Tower

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Was elected to fill a judicial vacancy for a Civil Court seat in the 7th Municipal District.

As of October 15, 2026, Karen Cortes-Tower’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Keshia Espinal

Keshia Espinal is from New York City. She studied English literature at SJNY, where she participated in student government and other clubs.

All Rise for the Honorable Judge Keshia Espinal '95 - On Campus

Keshia previously worked as a prosecutor in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office after working as a paralegal and Spanish interpreter for the defense.

Lancman commends mayor for filling Civil, Criminal court vacancies

It was that sense of empathy and care that led to her being appointed to the position of judge for the King Country Criminal Court in 2017. Today, the Honorable Judge Keshia Espinal serves the Criminal Court as its Supervising Administrative Judge, the first woman and person of color to hold the position in Kings Country Criminal Court history.

All Rise for the Honorable Judge Keshia Espinal ’95

## KINGS COUNTY (Brooklyn)

Supervising Judge
Hon. Keshia Espinal

Borough Chief Clerk
Anthony Calise

NYC Criminal Court General Information & Locations | New York Courts

Worked as a paralegal and Spanish interpreter on the defense side before becoming an attorney.

Served for 16 years as a prosecutor with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office.

Serves as supervising judge of Kings County Criminal Court after being appointed to the court in 2017.

- Serves as supervising judge of Kings County Criminal Court after being appointed to the court in 2017.

Said prosecutors represent the people of New York, including defendants.

Said court decisions affect people's lives and every case must be treated as important.

As supervising judge, issued a discovery pilot intended to reduce delays that could require defense attorneys to waive late-stage challenges to evidence disclosures.

Said judges and lawyers must work collaboratively to ensure justice is served.

As of October 15, 2026, Keshia Espinal’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Partners with agencies to provide access to court-system programs and resources, including through a job and resource fair at the Brooklyn Criminal Courthouse.

Matthew Levy

As of October 15, 2026, Matthew Levy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said in 2018 that judicial candidates should reflect community values and diversity and be role models.

- The New York Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court.
- It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $10,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters and housing code violations.
- There are 120 judges elected to the Civil Court, but only about 50 sit in it. The remaining judges sit in other courts, such as the Criminal Court or Family Court.
- Judges are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections.
- They are paid a salary of $216,400.

Judge who handles majority of civil cases in New York

New York Civil Court Judge, District 7

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New York Civil Court Judge, District 7

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