NY1 has learned a coalition of reform Democrats who say they now have enough votes to control the Brooklyn Democratic Party has chosen a Sunset Park district leader to be the party’s next chair.
The coalition, known as Brooklyn Can’t Wait,” was led in part by the reform group New Kings Democrats, and it picked Julio Peña as its candidate to take over the Brooklyn Democrats. He spoke exclusively to NY1 yesterday.
“Obviously we have a majority of a coalition, but we want this to be a much broader coalition of folks and really ensure we are turning the page and building a new Democratic Party,” Peña said.
Peña and this coalition are looking to unseat Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who has led the Brooklyn Democrats since 2020. She was the first Black woman to hold the post.
For years, so-called reform Democrats have been trying to wrest control of the Brooklyn Democratic Party from longstanding leaders who they claim lack transparency and accountability. In this year’s primary, for the first time they secured enough seats in the county’s executive committee to hold a majority. They say Peña has 22 votes – a slim majority to take over as chair.
The vote will not be held until September, so this coalition must stay intact until then.
When asked what his top priority would be if elected, Peña said it was to elect Democrats.
“My top priority is beating back Republicans. We have districts in Brooklyn that unfortunately Republicans have gained ground on,” he said.
NY1 has reached out to Bichotte Hermelyn for a response.
Peña is a lifelong resident of Sunset Park and was previously the chair of Community Board 7. He is a director of a high school after school program through the Chinese American Planning Council.