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    Brooklyn’s Democratic Leader Bichotte Hermelyn stays focused on progress, not distractions

    7 hours ago

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    The Brooklyn Democratic Party may appear to be entering a pivotal moment, but Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who represents District 42 in the New York State Assembly, remains steady as the organization continues its work and navigates internal debate. While a handful of reform-minded Democrats say they want to reshape the party’s processes and believe they can lead that effort this fall, Bichotte Hermelyn — who also serves as the NYS Assembly Majority Whip and Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) — continues to push the borough forward with discipline and clarity.  She emphasizes that the party’s direction is driven far more by supporters, members, and community stakeholders than by the small number of critics suggesting otherwise. At stake is more than a leadership role; it is a conversation about how Brooklyn Democrats will organize, collaborate, and internally compete while representing one of the nation’s most politically influential boroughs — a borough whose visibility and civic engagement she helped elevate.  “My vision for Brooklyn’s future has always been shaped by a clear strategy: a party that is inclusive, accountable, community-rooted, and financially healthy," Bichotte Hermelyn said. "A party that doesn’t just talk about diversity but lives in it. A party that leads with integrity and connection, because that is how we keep Brooklyn strong and keep our democracy vibrant." Chair Bichotte Hermelyn further reaffirmed her commitment, stating, "Our work is about bringing people together, expanding opportunity, and ensuring every community has a voice," Bichotte Hermelyn said. "That's what progress looks like." Below is a Q&A with Bichotte Hermelyn: As the first woman and first Black woman to lead the Brooklyn Democratic Party, how has that historic responsibility shaped your leadership and your vision for Brooklyn’s future? Being the first woman — and the first Black woman — to lead the Brooklyn Democratic Party has shaped my leadership by forcing me to see the institution from every angle at once: its history, its fractures, its potential, and its responsibility to represent all of Brooklyn. Stepping into this role meant inheriting long-standing relationships and conflicts while still carrying the obligation to move the organization forward with discipline and integrity.  It pushed me to embrace diversity in every form — cultural, ideological, generational — and to make sure every community felt seen and valued. It also demanded a level of steadiness and focus that never wavered, because breaking barriers comes with the expectation that you must lead with clarity, fairness, and resilience. Additionally, this historic responsibility has shaped my vision for Brooklyn’s future into one that centered on representation, unity, and progress built through strong institutions and inclusive leadership.  How have you kept the Brooklyn Democratic Party focused on results instead of distractions, and what measurable wins show that focus matters? Over the past six years, I’ve kept the Brooklyn Democratic Party focused on results by building systems that prioritize transparency, inclusion, and consistent civic engagement rather than getting pulled into distractions. Under my leadership, the party became one of the most active and visible in the state — hosting judicial forums, expanding the judicial screening panel to include under-represented groups such as Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQ, Caribbean bar associations, and updating election processes to be inclusive of non-binary county committee candidates.  We strengthened civic participation through MLK Day service events, statewide and out-of-state bus trips, networking programs, and our annual gala, all while maintaining a communication reach of more than 200,000 people. These efforts made the party more accessible, more transparent, and more present than ever before. At the same time, I ensured the organization remained financially stable and structurally strong, because results only matter when the institution behind them can withstand political shifts, internal disagreements, and the pressures of representing the largest Democratic County in the nation. What achievements or changes under your leadership do you believe have been overlooked in the current debate about the future of the Brooklyn Democratic Party? Some of the achievements under my leadership aren’t overlooked — they’re simply dismissed by naysayers who would rather ignore the reality of what it takes to rebuild and stabilize a county organization. Over the past six years, the Brooklyn Democratic Party became more active, more transparent, and more civically engaged than it had been in years. We expanded community service, hosted judicial forums, created networking opportunities, and strengthened financial stability. The work speaks for itself, even if some choose not to acknowledge it. A slight majority of incoming district leaders now appear to support a change in leadership. What do you believe is driving that sentiment, and why do you believe your leadership remains the right path forward for Brooklyn Democrats and the borough?  Some of that sentiment is driven by people who want change for the sake of power, not change that brings “good trouble” or equity. I support change too — but it has to be the kind of change that strengthens the party, not destabilizes it. The truth is, I made the seat attractive through hard work, transparency, and stability, and now some people simply want access to that same throne. It’s been a heavy crown, but my leadership remains the right path forward because it’s rooted in service, accountability, and a vision that puts Brooklyn’s diverse communities first. Despite the many challenges facing Brooklyn, how have you remained focused on delivering results, and which accomplishments are you most proud of during your tenure as chair?       Brooklyn has faced challenges in parts of South Brooklyn, but we have to be honest about why. These setbacks didn’t happen because the district suddenly shifted politically — they happened because some longtime representatives stopped connecting with the people they served. Peter Abbate is a clear example: despite decades in office and nearly a million dollars in his account, he still lost, along with former staff, Iwen Chu and allies, even with support from current officials in the area. Some critics want to point fingers, but often those critics are looking to deflect from their own failures, and accountability matters.  My focus has always been on strengthening the party through connection and presence. We’ve seen what happens when Democrats stay engaged — leaders like Assemblymember Bill Colton and Councilmember Susan Zhuang won difficult races because they never stopped showing up for their communities. That’s the model we’re building from as we reconnect, rebuild, and support candidates who truly reflect South Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods. We kept the Senate seat blue with Senator Sam Sutton and saw rising leaders come closer than ever, such as Joey Saban. In addition to elevating new voices like Joyce Xie and Larry He, they understand that success requires deep community engagement, multilingual outreach, and real visibility in areas that have felt overlooked. That’s how we strengthen support across the borough — by rebuilding trust block by block and staying connected to the people we serve. Your leadership has focused on building strong partnerships across Brooklyn's diverse communities. How have those collaborations helped advance the party's mission and create meaningful opportunities for civic participation and voter engagement?  My leadership has always been rooted in the belief that no matter where you fall on the ideological spectrum, we are still Democrats — and that shared identity gives us a foundation to build from. Over the past six years, my job has been to unify the party by working with every corner of our Democratic family, including those on the furthest ends of our spectrum, and finding common ground. That meant partnering closely with Democratic clubs across the borough, engaging residents to join their county committees, and strengthening grassroots participation so every neighborhood had a voice.  It also meant expanding civic access by having the Board of Elections train community members and, in my role as a legislator, co-sponsoring election reforms in Albany that make voting easier and more accessible for all. These collaborations have helped advance the party’s mission by creating meaningful opportunities for civic participation, deepening community engagement, and ensuring leaders like myself remain accountable to delivering results that support a decent, affordable quality of life for Brooklyn families. Leadership is often measured by the legacy it leaves behind. What impact do you hope your tenure as chair will have on the Brooklyn Democratic Party and the future of Democratic leadership in Brooklyn?    As I continue to lead the largest Democratic Party organization in the country, I do so with a deep awareness of our fundamental rights — especially the right to vote and the protections guaranteed under the 15th Amendment against racial discrimination in voting.  Having come from a place where suppression was real, I understand what is at stake. Across the nation, we are witnessing a rollback of voting rights not seen since the pre-civil-rights era: the Supreme Court has narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, making it harder to challenge racial vote dilution; states have enacted laws restricting early voting, absentee ballots, and voter registration; and racial gerrymandering continues to weaken Black and brown political power in communities like mine. These realities shape my leadership and reinforce my commitment to protecting access, expanding participation, and ensuring that every Brooklyn resident has a voice in our democracy.  My legacy is to continue protecting our voting rights, which extend to every other fundamental right our communities depend on — our right to choose, our right to counsel and support on housing issues, our birthrights, and our right to affordability and economic dignity. My legacy will be grounded in ensuring that Brooklyn families can fully and fairly access these protections, because defending our rights is not just a political responsibility — it is a moral one rooted in lived experience and the ongoing fight for equity.
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