Democratic leaders in Brooklyn have sparked widespread controversy after efforts to alter the local party’s leadership structure appeared to undermine a coalition of reformers poised to take control. The move drew sharp criticism from prominent Democrats across New York, including Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Attorney General Letitia James, and congressional leaders Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer.
The dispute arose following the success of Brooklyn Can't Wait, a reformist coalition that secured enough seats on the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s executive committee to challenge the leadership of Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the powerful party chairwoman. Instead of conceding, Bichotte Hermelyn expanded the committee’s membership, a tactic critics argue was designed to dilute the reformers’ influence and preserve her position.
This decision was accompanied by a series of viral videos in which Bichotte Hermelyn dismissed accusations of illegality and questioned the ensuing backlash. Nonetheless, the change sparked further contention and has led to ongoing litigation, with the final legal ruling still pending.
At a contentious party meeting held Wednesday, the newly expanded executive committee ratified the rule changes, even as reform candidates alleged irregularities in the voting process, including an excess number of votes and the questionable use of proxy ballots. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams condemned the maneuver as an extreme power grab, calling it “the worst I’ve seen,” while lawyer Mark Hanna, representing the reform candidates, described recent developments as “beyond bonkers.”
Tony Melone, president of the New Kings Democrats and one of the Brooklyn Can’t Wait coalition’s organizers, warned that the new rules could allow Bichotte Hermelyn to maintain control indefinitely, effectively blocking future challenges. He explained that the 42 district leaders, elected representatives who serve as liaisons between the party and the community, are critical in judicial nominations and broader party-building efforts. Each of Brooklyn’s 21 Assembly districts elects one male and one female district leader.
Bichotte Hermelyn defended the changes, framing them as part of a broader effort to increase diversity and community participation within the party after some Black district leaders were defeated by the reform slate. “I am very proud of what we’re doing, expanding our Democratic committee to close to a hundred everyday people,” she said, adding the move was intended to make the party more community-driven.
However, critics challenged that rationale, noting that Brooklyn Can’t Wait represented a geographically and racially diverse bloc with a mandate for reform amid longstanding concerns over corruption within the county party. Some observers expressed disappointment that Bichotte Hermelyn had not fulfilled early hopes she would bring needed change when she became the first Black woman to lead the county party six years ago.
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Sandy Nurse, a member of the reform coalition, faulted Bichotte Hermelyn for failing to unite the Brooklyn delegation behind Crystal Hudson’s bid for City Council speaker, arguing that the loss diminished opportunities for residents in struggling outer-borough neighborhoods.
Bichotte Hermelyn countered by highlighting recent electoral victories supported by the party and accused critics of being “sore losers” who failed to contribute to electoral efforts. The county party also came under scrutiny earlier this year when it briefly withdrew its endorsement of Governor Hochul after she selected former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate—an action reversed amid backlash.
Looking ahead, Bichotte Hermelyn has not confirmed whether she will seek re-election as party chairwoman, but many expect her to do so amid mounting tensions. Meanwhile, Hanna pointed out that the faction loyal to Bichotte Hermelyn neglected to nominate a leader for the executive committee, resulting in Representative Nydia Velazquez, a noted progressive, effectively becoming the party’s de facto leader. Velazquez criticized the party’s tactics as emblematic of “machine politics” that erode public trust, urging Democrats in Brooklyn to choose their leaders freely.