Joseph Maligno
Richmond County
Joseph is a lifelong Staten Islander who resides in Arden Heights section of Staten Island. He is a graduate of the College of Staten with a bachelor of arts and political science and philosophy. Joseph obtained his Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the state of New York.
Joseph currently serves as the vice president of the Staten Island Young Republicans as well as general counsel to the New York State Young Republicans. He has been active in local politics since 2008 including as a field director on Nicole Malikis’s 2017 campaign for New York City mayoral campaign manager for Anthony DeGuerre a candidate for New York State Assembly in 2020 who nearly toppled an 18-year incumbent and most recently Campaign Manager for the Honorable Mary A. Kavanagh who successfully won her election for civil court judge in the 13th Judicial District of Staten Island.
Joseph currently serves as court attorney to the Honorable Mary A. Kavanagh. Prior to working for Judge Kavanagh Joseph was appointed by Minority Leader Councilman Joseph Borelli to serve as Deputy Executive Director on the New York City Districting Commission tasked with the redistricting of the 51 City Council districts of New York City. Joseph was one of the youngest and only Republicans appointed to the Districting Commission.
Daniel Gurniak
Rockland County
is a current master’s degree student at Columbia University, a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he majored in mathematics and minored in Political Science and Public Policy, and a resident of Pearl River NY, and Rockland County. Daniels served in various leadership roles throughout his academic studies including secretary of governmental affairs for the student government association, office of admissions and athletics department ambassador, peer facilitator, college disciplinary review board member, and national anthem singer, among other titles. In conjunction with his academic studies, each of these endeavors ignited his passion for problem-solving, critical thinking, free speech, and fostering an open marketplace of ideas.
Last year Daniel became involved with the Republican Party by interning on the campaigns of Congressman Mike Lawler and State Senator Bill Webber resulting in historic victories for Rockland County and New York State. With his mother is a retired New York Police Department Officer and his father is a retired New York Police Department Detective, both 9/11 first responders the central issues of the 2022 election, particularly public safety and crime, strengthened his commitment to working for and electing Republicans that will deliver for New Yorkers and Americans.
At this time Daniel works as Constituent Liaison in the office of newly elected assemblyman John McGowan. As new conversations about freedom opportunity, justice, and patriotism emanate from the chambers of the New York State Capitol and Capitol Hill across New York and the United States. Daniel is eager and inspired to translate his experiences and convictions into authentic and meaningful change for our state and nation earning rising star status today strengthens his resolve to leave any place or vacancy better than he founded.
Daniel would like to thank his mom, dad, brother, extended family, blue family, friends, loved ones, teachers, coaches, and everyone who believed in them. Furthermore, he would like to thank Congressman Mike Lawler, Senator Bill Weber, Assemblyman John McGowan, Supervisor Teresa Kenney, Carmel Riley, and John Turco for their opportunities, guidance, and advice.
Daniel looks forward to working with the New York State Young Republicans in 2024 to expand his victories from Albany to the White House.
Ryan Silverstein
Rockland County
Mr. Silverstein developed his passion for politics by volunteering for Republican candidates in his home county of Rockland County. Mr. Silverstein carried his passion for politics with him to college where he joined the College Republicans. He eventually rose to become President of the Scared Heart College Republicans and the Treasurer of the Connecticut Federation of College Republicans. While in college h continued to volunteer for various state and local campaigns in Connecticut. In addition to his political work in Connecticut, Mr. Silverstein helped to build the Republican presence in Rockland County, helping rebound the Rockland County Young Republicans in 2019. He currently is serving as Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the Rockland County Young Republicans. Throughout his tenure with the Rockland County Young Republicans, Mr. SilverStein has worked with candidates up and down the ballot. Most notably he was a Campaign Consultant for Bill Weber and a volunteer for Congressman Mike Lawler in the 2022 election cycle. Mr. Silverstein graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2022 Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science and is now a J.D. Candidate at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
Michael Zembricki
Saratoga County
Michael Zembricki graduated Salutatorian from Valley Forge Military Academy in 2012 and attended Clarkson University in St. Lawrence County New York.. Michael began his political career in 2019 in the New York State Legislature for then Assemblyman Mark Walczyk and later joined Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s team as a Field Director for the 2020 election cycle.
Following Representative Stefani’s historic re-election in 2020, Zembricki joined Elise for Congress as their Political Director. During 2021, Zembricki was involved in dozens of priority local and county races along with Congresswoman Stefanik’s leadership race for the House of Representatives Republican Conference Chair.
After attending the RNC’s Campaign Management College, Zembricki went on to serve as Campaign Manager for Congresswoman Stefanik in the 2022 Midterm elections in a district that few to encompass 15 New York State counties.
Zembricki currently serves on Congresswoman Stefani’s Senior Staff as her Director of Outreach and Relations and looks forward to protecting and expanding the Republican House Majority in New York in 2024.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys reading, kayaking, and hiking all over NY-21, and training and competing in Mix Martial Arts.
Justin Davis
Schoharie County
Justin Davis. A native of Richmondville, NY, Justin is the proud grandson of the former 20 year mayor of the Village of Richmondville and of a US Army Korean War Veteran. Their dedication to public service and sacrifice to the nation has continued to inspire Justin to serve and give back to the country and his community.
During his studies at Clarkson University, where he ultimately earned a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Justin also earned an ROTC scholarship and was commissioned into the New York Army Guard as an Engineer Officer. His military education includes the Engineer Basic Office Leadership Course and the 10th Mountain Division Air Assault Course. He recently served on an overseas deployment training exercise in Romania with NATO Allies in support of Operation Resolute Castle. Justin has also been recognized with numerous awards including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Air Assault Bags, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), and the STEEL Order of the DeFlery Medal.
After graduating from Clarkson in 2020, Justin began work at Lancaster Development, Inc/L&T Construction based in Richmondville. In his current role as a Project Engineer, he is responsible for numerous multi-million dollar construction and infrastructure projects across New York.
Ann Stull
Steuben County
Ann Stull. Born and raised in Addison NY, Annie graduate Summa Cum Laude from Keuka College in 2020 with a degree in Political Science and History, and recently earned a Masters degree in Management.
Annie has long maintained an interest in Republican politics and completed several internships during his studies, including with former Congressman Tom Reed for Congress. After graduation, she served as a Regional Field Director for Tom Reed for Congress during the 2020 election cycle and helped to elect Congressman Joe Sempolinski and State Supreme Court Justice Jason Cook in their respective elections as Campaign Manager in the 2022 election cycle.
Annie belies in the importance of elevating good candidates within our party and recognizes that advocacy is imperative for bringing about the change you want to see. In addition to her political activism, she works full time as the Assistant Director of Admissions and part time as the Public Relations Coordinator at her alma mater, Keuka College. She enjoys the advocacy that she brings for the entire college community by leveraging her political connections and experiences that have helped shape her career.
Dara Pratt
Suffolk County
Born and raised in Suffolk County, Dara attended Suffolk County Community College and joined the Medford Fire Department after high school. In search of a way to further serve her community, she became involved with Dean Murray’;s campaign for State Assembly. The rest she says is history.
Dara later earned her political science degree from SUNY University at Albany and during her last semester, worked as Director of Legislative Operations for State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano. Upon graduating in 2019, she returned home to Suffolk County and the following year began working on the front lines during the early months of the COVID-19 Pandemic at Jamaica Hospital in Queens NY.
Today Dara serves as a Legislative Aide for Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirollo. She also serves as Recording Secretary for the Suffolk County Young Republicans. She is currently pursuing her MBA at Fordham Gabelli School of Business where she studies Strategic Marketing and Communications. In addition to all this, Dara still serves her community as a Fire House Attendant for the West Sayville-Oakdale Fire District and volunteers with the Patchogue Young Professionals.
Sean Hammond
Ulster County
A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, Sean’s passion for public service runs deep – his grandmother Nancy Hammond served as Town Councilwoman for two decades in his hometown of Lloyd NY.
Sean has served in a number of roles over the past several years, including as an aide and political operative to former Congressman John Faso, campaign manager to Lisa Curren for Ulster County Comptroller, and Vice Chairman of the Town of Lloyd Republican Committee. A field coordinator for the Republican National Committee assigned to the NY 19 Special election for Marc Molinaro and the NY 19 General election for Colin Schmitt and also as a field organizer for the Georgia US Senate Runoff election. He holds an impressive voter contact record, having knocked on more than 35000 doors made over 50000 phone calls oversaw hundreds of volunteers, and slipped 110 election districts from blue to red during the 2022 election. He was recently elected Vice Chair of the Orange County Young Republicans.
Sean also touts extensive experience in local government, having previously served on the staff of former State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt overseeing constituent services, scheduling, operations, and legislation. He now serves as Legislative Director for State Assemblyman Anil Beephan where he is responsible for the Assemblyman’s legislative platform and district constituent services.
Dustin Hall
Warren County
A resident of Glens Falls NY Dustin currently serves as the Republican Deputy Elections Commissioner for Warren County, There, he’s made it his mission to help make the Warren County Board of Elections on elf the most advanced in the state with modernized voter registration systems as well as modern and safe voting machines, all while remaining compliant with the state’s ever-changing election laws.
After graduating from high school, Dustin enlisted in the US Army as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handler. He was stationed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and was later deployed for nine and a half months to the Middle East. Following five years of service, he was accepted into the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University for Policy Studies. It was there that he became politically active and joined the Syracuse University College Republicans, later becoming the chapter’s Treasurer and eventually its Chairman. In this role, he works to grow the conservative point of view on campus and provide like-minded students an opportunity to speak freely. With more than 70 members, the Syracuse University College Republicans were the largest College Republican chapter in the state.
Emily Mc Carthy
Warren County
A native of Queensbury NY Emily serves as Secretary of the Warren County and Queensbury Republican Committees and was recently nominated as the Republican candidate for Warren County Clerk. Since 2008 Emily has worked for the State Assembly Republican Conference, the Warren County Board of Elections as the Deputy Commissioner, and the State Office of Victim Services.
Emily’s service to the Republican Party began when she was a student at Cornell University, where she majored in Policy Analysis and Management and participated in political activism on campus as a member of the Cornell University College Republicans. She was also a member of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams and later became a Duke Blue Devil, ending her collegiate running career having earned all-American honors. She was invited to compete for the US Track and Field team in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the North America, Central America, and Caribbean Athletic Association’s cross Country Championships.
Anthony Giacobbe
Westchester County
Born and raised in lower Westchester County, Anthony attended Iona College before starting his career in the petroleum industry. He is currently raising his family with his wife Laurie in Eastchester. In 2021 he ran for Westchester County Legislator and almost flipped a very blue district red (Democrats outnumbered Republicans 2:1) with help from the Young Republicans. Over the past few years, he has worked on several local, state, and school board campaigns. In 2023 Anthony is excited to be running for the Eastchester Town Board.
Brandon Neider
Westchester County
Brandon J. Neider is a lifelong Yonkers resident and dedicated to the NYS Republican Party. Services as the Chairperson of City of Yonkers SEIU Local 704, and former Chair of the Yonkers Young Republicans Committee.