The commission in charge of recommending nominees to New York's top court on Thursday released its list of potential candidates to replace retiring Judge Eugene Fahey. 

And the commission in its selections sought to highlight a diverse slate of recommended nominees after state lawmakers, including Sen. Michael Gianaris, urged them to do so earlier this year. 

The commission announced they had reviewed an applicant pool of 34 people, including 15 women and 10 people who came from diverse backgrounds. All told, 18 candidates were interviewed, including 11 women and 7 potential candidates people of color. 

“I am gratified at the extraordinary quality and diverse backgrounds of our applicants," said E. Leo Milnoas, the chair of the Commission on Judicial Nominations. "That so many exceptional candidates were motivated to apply demonstrates the remarkable strength and depth of the legal profession in the State of New York.” 

The recommendations include: Associate Justice Francesca E. Connolly, Assistant Federal Public Defender Timothy P. Murphy; Associate Justice Erin M. Peradotto; Associate Justice Stan L. Pritzker; attorney Corey L. Stoughton; Associate Justice Shirley Troutman; and Associate Justice Joanne M. Winslow.

The nominee would be the first for Gov. Kathy Hochul since she took office on Aug. 24.