Linda Wilson overcomes the odds to win Dem Primary for Brooklyn’s Civil Court race

June 29, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

"Judge-elect" Linda Wilson brings a lifetime of legal experience and a deep commitment to her community to her new role on the Brooklyn Civil Court. Eagle photo by Robert Abruzzese.

Share this:

Linda Wilson, an experienced law clerk and steadfast community advocate, has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for the Brooklyn Civil Court Judge race. With an impressive tally of 32,274 votes, Wilson triumphed over her party-endorsed rival, Turquoise Haskin, who received 16,125 votes.

Despite having to face a general election coming up in November, Wilson is expected to secure the judgeship comfortably. Historically, the Republican party has not frequently fielded challengers against the Democratic party’s candidates in Brooklyn judicial races.

Wilson’s victory resonated with a broad base of supporters, including progressive heavyweights like Borough President Antonio Reynoso, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, and organizations such as the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats.

Dedicated to public service, Wilson brings to the table a wealth of legal experience from her three-decade-long career, serving in every level of Court in New York City. She has assumed various roles including referee, principal appellate court attorney, supervising court attorney, and senior principal law clerk to a justice of the Appellate Division.

Throughout her career, Wilson has gained extensive experience conducting trials in the Civil Courts of New York City and has advised many judges, authored hundreds of published appellate court decisions, and drafted countless orders and decisions on motions made in the Supreme Court.

Apart from her stellar professional portfolio, Wilson’s life story is deeply interwoven with the fabric of Brooklyn’s vibrant community. Born and raised in Park Slope and Prospect Heights, Wilson, the daughter of an Italian American mother and an African American father, is a third-generation Brooklynite. Her upbringing, characterized by her parents’ struggle with disabilities, fostered a legal style focused on empathy and a steadfast commitment to public service.

As a proud mother of six, Wilson’s connection to her community extends beyond her professional realm. She is a Vice-President of the Park Slope Civic Council, serving in various capacities including as its liaison to the 78th Precinct Community Council, and as chairperson of its Holiday Initiatives and Scholarships Committees. She is a member of the 77th Precinct Community Council, the Prospect Park Alliance, and a past co-president of the North Prospect Heights Association.

Wilson has spent her life advocating for the protection of rights and the fair, impartial, and prompt dispensation of justice in our courts of law. Grounded in her Brooklyn roots, her commitment is bolstered by her local education received at P.S. 316, Jackie Robinson Intermediate School (I.S.320), Samuel J. Tilden High School, New York University, and Columbia University School of Law.

Her professional affiliations highlight her commitment to justice and her community. These include the Tribune Society of the New York State Courts, the Kings County Courts Black History Month Committee, the Columbian Lawyers Association, and the Bar Association of the City of New York’s Criminal Courts Committee and Subcommittee for Judicial Screening.

Incumbents Win District Attorney Races in Queens and the Bronx

There were two primaries for district attorney races in Queens and the Bronx and the incumbents easily won both races. In Queens, Melinda Katz got 42,476 votes to beat Democratic challengers George Grasso and Devian Daniels, who got approximately 8,500 votes each. In the Bronx, Darcel Clark beat Tess Cohen 20,688 votes to 7,621.