DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — With the Kings County Democratic County Committee’s organizational meeting set for 10 a.m. and the Appellate Division scheduled to hear arguments at 2 p.m. in a case challenging bylaw changes backed by Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Wednesday marks a pivotal day for Brooklyn Democrats.

Judge Jill Epstein previously ruled that outgoing committee members improperly voted on party-rule amendments at an Aug. 25 meeting, declaring the resulting rule changes null and void. The changes would have expanded the Executive Committee from 42 members to over 68. 

The Appellate Division decision could determine which rules govern the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s organizational meeting and who is eligible to participate in selecting its next chair — a contest principally between Bichotte Hermelyn and Julio Peña III. 

The Appellate Division has no fixed statutory deadline for issuing a final decision. If it does not issue a decision Wednesday, the stay will remain in effect, and the party will continue operating under current rules. 

Looking forward

Bichotte Hermelyn spoke exclusively to the Brooklyn Eagle at a fundraiser Tuesday about her expectations for Wednesday’s organizational meeting and the party’s future.

“It’s going to be a very exciting day,” she said. “It will be historical. We’re going into a meeting where we’re going to have an opportunity to expand our executive county committee — and I think everybody is excited.”

Bichotte Hermelyn called the lower court’s ruling “a decision that was made incorrectly,” citing New York Election Law Section 2-112.

“The law says that an outgoing state committee person stays in their seat until the close of the county organizational meeting and the state committee organizational meeting,” she said. “But the lower court took it upon themselves to say it was wrong for outgoing district leaders to make a substantial vote. And whether it’s substantial or not, it is within the right — the government right, the internal party’s right — to govern and make changes.” 

Bichotte Hermelyn added that the notion of a court interfering and dictating how the party should run its organization is “morally wrong.”  

“I think the misconception about this dispute is that people are thinking that there’s a level of ‘power grab’ or ‘corruption,’ but there’s no such thing,” Bichotte Hermelyn said. “It’s just politics.”

Continuing to move Brooklyn forward

Bichotte Hermelyn also explained her intentions regarding another bid for party chair, which has been a central question heading into the organizational meeting. 

Asked if she plans to seek another term as chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Bichotte Hermelyn remained noncommittal: “I think there might be a really good chance that I’ll run for reelection — but we’ll see.”

She also said she does not believe Peña has a legitimate chance to become the next county chair, even under the rules currently in effect.

She predicts “a big win” at the conclusion of the organizational meeting today. 

“I’m going to continue to organize and continue to move Brooklyn forward,” she said.  “There’s a lot of work to do.”  

She also pointed out that throughout her tenure as party chair, Brooklyn has changed dramatically, with participation and engagement having increased exponentially.

“Our judiciary is more diverse than it ever has been,” she said. “We’ve recently had an incredible number of high-ranking officials come from Brooklyn, including the attorney general, public advocate and more. Brooklyn is truly where it’s at.”