Brooklyn Democratic Party district leaders voted to enact sweeping changes to the county party’s bylaws on Tuesday night, a move that reformers say is designed to help current chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn maintain control of the organization. The vote took place behind closed doors at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club in Mill Basin, a facility run by former Democratic Party Chair and current district leader Frank Seddio.
Expanding the party’s executive committee
The approved changes include expanding the party’s executive committee from 42 members to over 68. This restructuring occurs as Bichotte Hermelyn, who has led the party for the past six years, faced the prospect of losing her position following the June primary elections. In that primary, a reform slate of district leaders—aligned with groups such as New Kings Democrats and the campaign Brooklyn Can’t Wait
—amassed enough votes to potentially select their own county boss for the first time in nearly two decades. The reformers have backed longtime Sunset Park district leader Julio Peña to become the next party chair.
The timing of the vote was central to the controversy. Because the newly elected district leaders do not officially take their seats until September, the current executive committee—composed of members loyal to the incumbent leadership—held the authority to vote on the new rules before the reformist majority could take office. Opponents attempted to block the move through the legal system, but their arguments were denied by a judge.
Bichotte Hermelyn stated following the ruling that the court’s decision confirmed her initial position that the Executive Committee had acted within its authority and that the claims presented in the OSC were factually baseless.
Condemnation from a broad coalition
Despite the legal outcome, the move drew sharp condemnation from a broad coalition of prominent Democratic officials. Sen. Chuck Schumer, who typically avoids local political skirmishes, issued a statement via social media asserting that given the clear results of the June Democratic primary in Brooklyn, the party ought not to change the rules while the process is underway.
Other major state and city officials joined the opposition, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Attorney General Letitia James, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mayor Mamdani characterized the proposal as an attempt to circumnavigate the will of voters,
while Attorney General James and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams stated that New Yorkers deserve leaders dedicated to serving their communities rather than those who rewrite rules to maintain their own power.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes expressed frustration with the procedural maneuver, stating that the tactic of attempting to steal an election was being employed not by Donald Trump, but by the Democratic party leader in Brooklyn. State Assemblyman Robert Carroll added that there has been a decades-long battle to reform the Kings County Democratic Party.
During a break in the proceedings, Luke Ohlson, a district leader from North Brooklyn, stepped out to address reporters. Ohlson remarked that what was occurring inside was a betrayal of the voters’ will and that by implementing these measures, they were effectively disenfranchising thousands of voters, plain and simple.
Bichotte Hermelyn has maintained that the changes are intended to broaden participation. In an interview on August 19, she stated that they were ensuring Brooklyn remained strong for any statewide, citywide, or district-level matters crucial to the quality of life in the borough. She further noted in a video released by the party that the proposals would expand leadership
and expand representation
to create a perception of inclusiveness.
Limited transparency at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club
The meeting itself was marked by limited transparency. Reporters from The City Reporter and other outlets attempted to gain entry to cover the vote but were denied access. Seddio told journalists outside the clubhouse that the executive committee meetings are private. However, observers noted that individuals not on the executive committee, including Bichotte Hermelyn’s husband, former district leader Edu Hermelyn, and Manhattan democratic party insider Corey Ortega, were permitted to pass through security. When journalists attempted to observe the proceedings through the clubhouse windows, individuals inside the building taped sheets of paper over the glass to obstruct the view.
As the party moves toward the fall leadership election, the status of the reform movement remains uncertain. Peña, the reformers’ candidate, described the situation as a “power grab” and stated that his supporters are considering all options, including contacting every county committee member. Peña characterized the move as a power grab that must be stopped, noting that it was silencing the voices of those elected in June.