Self-described reformers rallied on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall Monday as part of an ongoing war against the leaders of the Kings County Democratic Party.
Entering the fray and siding with the progressives was Sen. Chuck Schumer, who typically avoids local political battles.
“This has been a battle for decades to reform the Kings County Democratic Party,” Brooklyn Democratic State Assemblyman Robert Caroll said.
“Trying to steal an election is being used not by Donald Trump but by the Democratic party leader here in Brooklyn,” Andrew Gounardes, a Democratic state senator representing parts of Brooklyn, said.
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn released new rules last week, boosting the party’s executive committee from 42 to over 68 members.
She says it would give Brooklynites a louder voice, but it would also likely keep her from losing her job as party leader.
“We are making sure that Brooklyn stands strong for any statewide, any citywide, and any districts that will be very crucial to the quality of life of Brooklyn,” Bichotte Hermelyn said during an interview with NY1 on August 19.
The progressive Kings County Democrats, however, argue it’s a desperate effort to block insurgent district leader wins in June they say could oust her as chair.
Julio Pena is the group’s backed candidate.
“All of our options are open, whether that is knocking on the doors of every single county committee member — we have all of our options open to try to stop this,” Pena said.
On Tuesday, the party chair called an executive committee meeting to vote on the new rules.
The problem for progressives? Primary winners won’t occupy office until September, so they might not have enough votes to counter the party boss’ supporters.
Opponents also filed a lawsuit, but their argument was denied by a judge.
“The court’s decision confirms what we have said from the beginning: the Executive Committee acted within its authority, and the claims presented in the OSC were not grounded in fact,” Bichotte Hermelyn told NY1 in a statement.
But Pena said: “This is a power grab and we need it to stop.”
“It’s silencing voices who were elected in June,” he added.
The party chair’s move was slammed by Brooklyn powerhouses: Attorney General Letitia James and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in addition to Schumer.
“Given the clear results of the June Democratic primary in Brooklyn, the party should not change the rules in the middle of the game,” Schumer said in a post to social media.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also added her name to the opposition.
“Governor Hochul is opposed to this proposal to rewrite the rules of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. Democrats need to be focused on defeating Donald Trump and his MAGA enablers this November, anything else is a distraction — the Brooklyn Dems’ leadership vote should be a fair and transparent process,” Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said.
“We have had county leaders that have tried to exclude people. We have had county leaders that have used that office to just enrich themselves and their friends. To empower themselves and their fans and unfortunately Rodneyse Bichotte has followed in their footsteps,” Caroll said. “She does not deserve to be the county leader.”
Now, they’re hoping to change committee members’ minds before the vote.
“With Leaders Schumer and Jeffries adding their voices, that’s pretty rare for them to weigh in and say, ‘that is not what the Brooklyn Democratic Party should be,” Democrat Brad Lander, former city comptroller and congressional candidate, said.
“If they do go through with it, if they make this ridiculous, corrupt, naked power grab and she is reelected leader, she will have absolutely no credibility, power or authority,” he added.